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 by mid‑October. The 2026 championship is slated to conclude with two back‑to‑back rounds: the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 27‑29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set for 4‑6 December. However, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which erupted in February, has cast a shadow over those dates and created uncertainty about whether the races can proceed as planned.
Both events are still listed on the official calendar, which currently features 23 races, and sources close to the sport, including Sky Sports News, indicate that the governing body intends to keep them on the schedule. Should the situation deteriorate to the point where the Middle Eastern rounds become untenable, the Imola circuit in Italy has been earmarked as a backup venue to wrap up the season. The organizers have more time before a final determination is required, but they are preparing contingency plans. During an F1 Commission meeting held on Monday, team principals were briefed on the timeline for a decision.
At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, several team leaders reiterated the information they received. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu said, "I believe Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] is aiming to give us a clear answer in mid‑October so we all know where we stand.
I understand Imola is being readied as a fallback if we cannot race in the Middle East, but the hope is that the original plan stays intact and we can travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi as scheduled. That would be ideal." Audi’s former technical chief Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed this during the F1 Commission on Monday.
Mid‑October is the deadline for a final call." Sky Sports' Formula One correspondent Craig Slater provided additional context: "The latest information from leadership within Formula 1 is that both Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar and the intention is to go ahead with them. Based on the current stability in the region, if the situation holds for the next few weeks, the races should be able to proceed.
Only a further deterioration would force a cancellation." He continued, "Imola is on standby as a contingency, but the organizers are not committing to it at the expense of the two Middle Eastern events. If the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds cannot happen, Imola will step in, and the sport will compensate the circuit for any financial losses incurred in preparing for a possible race. The teams understand that a clarification will come in mid‑October, so we will be watching the developments 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 there, but I don’t have all the details, so I’m not certain about the risk levels.
I trust Stefano to make the right decision for the sport, and I hope we get to race there. Finishing the season in winter at Imola might not be the best weather‑wise, and while Imola is a beautiful circuit, it doesn’t offer the overtaking opportunities we enjoy. More races are always better." The broader schedule for the weekend in Azerbaijan includes a packed lineup of Formula 2 and Formula 1 sessions.
On Friday, September 25, the day begins with the F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Practice Three at 9:15 am (the session officially starts at 9:30 am). The F2 Feature Race 1 runs at 11:10 am, leading into the build‑up for the Grand Prix qualifying at 12:30 pm. Qualifying itself takes place at 1:00 pm, with post‑qualifying analysis from Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, continues with the F2 Feature Race 2 at 7:55 am, then the main Grand Prix build‑up, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix start at noon, and the race conclusion with the chequered flag at 2:00 pm. Ted’s Notebook provides a recap at 3:00 pm. All of these events are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The 2026 Formula 1 season remains live on Sky Sports F1 throughout the week, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of races.
Viewers can stream Sky Sports via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the ability to cancel at any time. In summary, the F1 community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict on whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races will go ahead as planned or be replaced by a contingency event at Imola. Teams, drivers, and fans alike are hopeful that the situation in the Middle East stabilises sufficiently to allow the season to finish on its intended global stage, preserving the excitement and competitive integrity of the championship's climax.