The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer regarding the fate of the season‑closing events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will arrive around mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to wrap up with two consecutive rounds – the Qatar Grand Prix from 27 to 29 November followed immediately by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 4 to 6 December. However, the security situation in the Middle East, which has been volatile since the conflict erupted in February, has cast a shadow over those dates for several months. Both races are still listed on the provisional 23‑race calendar, and sources at Sky Sports News indicate that the organizers intend to keep them on the schedule.
Should the situation deteriorate to the point where the Middle Eastern rounds become unfeasible, the series has identified Italy's historic Imola circuit as a backup venue to conclude the season. This contingency plan gives the governing body additional time to assess the regional stability before a final verdict is issued. During an F1 Commission meeting on Monday, the matter was discussed in detail. At the press conference in Baku on Thursday, team principals confirmed that they have now received a clear timeframe for when a decision will be communicated.
Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu explained, "Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] is aiming to give us an answer in mid‑October so that everyone knows the situation. Imola is being prepared as a fallback, but we are all hoping the original plan – racing in Qatar and then Abu Dhabi – can stay on track. That would be ideal." Audi‑affiliated team leader Mattia Binotto added, "We covered this in the F1 Commission on Monday.
Mid‑October is the final deadline for a decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' F1 correspondent, provided additional context: "The latest information from Formula 1 leadership is that both Middle Eastern events remain on the calendar and the intention is to run them. Based on the current stability in the region, if the situation holds steady over the next few weeks, the races should proceed.
Only a renewed deterioration would force a cancellation. Imola is on standby as a contingency, but the organizers are not forced to abandon the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds unless absolutely necessary.
Should that happen, Imola would receive financial compensation for any costs incurred in preparing for a possible last‑minute switch." Slater emphasized that the teams' expectation is to receive clarification by mid‑October, and that the situation will continue to be monitored closely. In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed his personal hope that the sport would be able to return to the Middle East as originally scheduled. "I personally want to go.
I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said. "From what I've read, things seem OK out there, but I don't have all the details, so I can't assess the exact risk levels. I trust Stefano to make the right call for the sport, and I hope we get to race there.
Finishing the season in winter at Imola might not be ideal weather‑wise, and while Imola is a beautiful circuit, it doesn't offer many overtaking opportunities. More races are always better for the championship." The broader race weekend schedule in Azerbaijan includes a full slate of support events. On Friday, September 25, the programme begins with the Formula 2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Practice Three at 9:15 am (the session actually starts at 9:30 am).
Later that morning, the F2 Feature Race 1 runs at 11:10 am, and the F1 qualifying build‑up starts at 12:30 pm, leading into the official qualifying session at 1:00 pm. The day concludes with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, features the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am, and the main Azerbaijan Grand Prix race at noon.
Post‑race analysis, including the Chequered Flag reaction and Ted's Notebook, follows in the afternoon. All of these events are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 throughout the week, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marking the start of a triple‑header of races. Viewers can stream Sky Sports via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the option to cancel at any time.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds underscores the complex interplay between global sport and geopolitics, and the F1 community remains poised to adapt whatever outcome emerges from the mid‑October decision.