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 conclude with two successive rounds – the Qatar Grand Prix from 27 to 29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 4 to 6 December – but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which erupted in February, has cast a long shadow over those dates. Both races remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 events for the year, and sources close to Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body still intends to run them as planned. However, the uncertainty has forced the sport’s organizers to keep a backup plan ready.
The most likely alternative venue is the historic Imola circuit in Italy, which could serve as a replacement if the Middle Eastern rounds prove untenable. Imola is already being prepared as a contingency, but no final decision has been taken yet, giving the FIA and the F1 Commission a little more breathing room.
During the F1 Commission meeting on Monday, team principals were briefed on the decision‑making schedule. At Thursday’s press conference in Baku, the team leaders reiterated the timeline they had been given. Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu said, "I believe Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] is aiming to inform us in mid‑October so we all know the situation.
I think Imola is being readied in case we have to use it, but ideally the baseline scenario – racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi – will hold. That would be fantastic." Audi‑affiliated team principal Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed it during the F1 Commission last Monday. Mid‑October is the final deadline for that decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' F1 correspondent, provided further insight: "The latest word from Formula 1 leadership is that both events are still on the calendar and the intention is to go ahead. Based on the current stability in the region, if the situation remains as it is over the next few weeks, the races should be able to proceed.
Only a fresh deterioration would force a cancellation." He continued, "Imola is the contingency, but the teams are not required to commit to it at the expense of the two Middle Eastern races. Should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds be called off, Imola will step in, and the organizers have promised to compensate the circuit for any financial losses incurred while preparing for a possible race. Mid‑October is when the teams expect a clear answer, so we will be watching the developments closely." Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, speaking in Baku on Wednesday, expressed his personal hope that the sport could return to the Middle East as originally scheduled.
"I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," he said.
"From what I've read, things seem OK out there, but I don't have all the information, so I can't gauge the 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 fans and the teams." The broader context of the schedule adds further pressure. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which is currently underway, forms part of a triple‑header weekend that also includes Formula 2 support races. The weekend programme is packed with practice sessions, qualifying, and race action, all being broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and streamed via NOW.
The intensity of the schedule underscores why the teams are eager for certainty about the final two rounds; logistical planning, car development cycles, and sponsorship commitments all hinge on a stable calendar. If the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events are ultimately cancelled, the shift to Imola would not be without consequences. Imola, located in the Emilia‑Romagna region, typically hosts a race in early September, meaning a winter date would require significant adjustments to track preparation, staffing, and spectator arrangements. Weather in northern Italy in December can be cold and wet, potentially affecting tyre strategies and car performance.
Moreover, the financial implications for the promoters of the Middle Eastern races would be substantial, given the large investments made in infrastructure and marketing. Conversely, holding the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as planned would allow the championship to finish in the warm, desert climate that teams have already prepared for in terms of car cooling and tyre compounds.
Both circuits feature long straights and high‑speed corners that reward aerodynamic efficiency, offering a fitting climax to a season that has seen intense competition across a diverse set of tracks. In summary, the F1 community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict that will either confirm the continuation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix or trigger the activation of Imola as a backup venue. The decision will be based on the security situation in the Middle East, the logistical feasibility for teams and organizers, and the financial ramifications for all parties involved.
Until that announcement, teams will continue to focus on the current race weekend in Baku, while keeping a close eye on developments in the region and preparing contingency plans for a possible shift in the season finale.