The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer regarding the fate of the season‑closing races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive around mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with two consecutive events: the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for 27‑29 November, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4‑6 December.
However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which erupted in February, has cast a shadow over the feasibility of holding these races as planned. Despite the uncertainty, both Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 races for the year.
According to sources at Sky Sports News, the governing body’s intention is still to run the events, but a contingency plan is in place should the security situation deteriorate further. The Italian circuit at Imola has been identified as the backup venue that could host the season finale if the Middle Eastern rounds become untenable. Organisers have indicated that Imola would only be activated as a fallback and that any financial losses incurred by preparing the track would be compensated.
The latest developments were discussed during the Formula One Commission meeting on Monday. At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, team principals reiterated that they have now received a clear timeframe for when a final decision will be communicated. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu explained, "Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] is aiming to give us a definitive answer in mid‑October so that we all know where we stand.
Imola is being prepared as a contingency, but our hope is that the situation remains stable enough to allow us to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally scheduled. That would be ideal." Audi’s former technical chief Mattia Binotto added, "We covered this during the F1 Commission on Monday. Mid‑October is the deadline for the decision." Sky Sports’ F1 correspondent Craig Slater provided further insight, stating that leadership within the sport still views the two Middle Eastern races as part of the calendar and intends to proceed with them.
He noted, "Based on the current stability in the region, if the situation holds for the next few weeks, the races should be able to go ahead. Only a fresh deterioration would force a cancellation. Imola is a safety net, but it does not replace the two scheduled events.
Should the last two races be called off, Imola would step in, and the teams would be reimbursed for any costs incurred in preparing the venue." Slater emphasized that the teams themselves expect a clarification by mid‑October, and that the situation will be closely monitored in the weeks leading up to that date. In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed personal optimism about returning to the Middle East. "I love going to the Middle East and I really want to race there," Hamilton said.
"From what I’ve read, the situation appears to be improving, although I don’t have full details on the risk levels. I trust Stefano to make the right call for the sport, and I hope we’ll be able to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as planned. Finishing the season in Imola would mean winter weather, and while Imola is a beautiful circuit, it doesn’t offer the overtaking opportunities that the Bahrain‑style tracks do. More races are always better for the sport and the fans." The broader context of the 2026 season includes a packed schedule that sees the Azerbaijan Grand Prix serving as a triple‑header event.
The weekend’s program features multiple Formula 2 races, practice sessions, and qualifying, all broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Azerbaijan race, taking place on Saturday at midday, forms a crucial part of the championship battle, with drivers eager to capitalize on the momentum before the season’s final stretch.
Looking ahead, the F1 community remains hopeful that diplomatic efforts and on‑the‑ground security measures will keep the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events on track. The sport’s commercial partners, local authorities, and the FIA are all working to ensure that the races can proceed safely, preserving the integrity of the championship and delivering the spectacle fans expect. If the mid‑October decision confirms that the Middle Eastern races can go ahead, teams will shift their focus to logistics, car setups for the desert conditions, and strategic planning for the final two points‑heavy events. Conversely, if the decision swings towards cancellation, Imola will be swiftly mobilised.
The circuit, known for its historic significance and challenging layout, will need to accommodate the logistical demands of a season finale on short notice. This would involve re‑configuring paddock facilities, ensuring adequate safety measures, and coordinating with broadcasters to adjust the race schedule. While such a shift would be unprecedented, the F1 organisation has contingency protocols to manage these scenarios, aiming to minimise disruption for teams, sponsors, and fans. In summary, the Formula One teams have been given a clear timeline: by mid‑October they will learn whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will proceed as planned or whether Imola will step in as a backup venue.
The decision hinges on the evolving security landscape in the Middle East, and all parties are closely monitoring developments. The sport’s leadership remains committed to delivering a full and exciting season finale, whether that takes place under the desert lights of Qatar and Abu Dhabi or on the historic tarmac of Imola.