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 back‑to‑back races: the Qatar Grand Prix from 27 to 29 November, followed 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 rounds are still listed on the official calendar, which currently features 23 races, and sources close to the sport say the organizers intend to keep them on the schedule.
In the event that the Middle Eastern venues become untenable, the Italian circuit at Imola is being prepared as a backup option to conclude the season. The governing body has more time before a final verdict is required, but the contingency plan is already being fleshed out. During a recent F1 Commission meeting on Monday, team principals received clarification on the timing of the decision.
At Thursday's press conference in Baku, the leaders of the teams reiterated the timeline they have been given. Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu explained, "I understand that Stefano [Domenicali, the F1 president] aims to inform us in mid‑October so we all know where we stand. Imola is being readied in case we need to switch to it, but the hope is that the original plan can stay intact and we can race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as scheduled. That would be fantastic." Audi‑affiliated team principal Mattia Binotto added, "We discussed this at the F1 Commission on Monday.
Mid‑October is the final deadline for a decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' F1 correspondent, provided further insight: "The latest information I have from leadership sources at Formula 1 is that both Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar and the intention is to go ahead with them. If the stability in the region holds over the next few weeks, the races should proceed. Only a fresh deterioration would force a cancellation." He continued, "Imola is the contingency, but the organizers are not committing to it at the expense of the two Middle Eastern rounds. Should those two be cancelled, Imola will step in, and the promoters will be compensated for any financial losses incurred while preparing the circuit.
Mid‑October is when the teams expect a clear answer, so we will be watching closely." Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, speaking at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Wednesday, expressed his personal desire to see the sport return to the Middle East as planned. "I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East," Hamilton said.
"From what I've read, things seem okay out there, but I don't have all the data on 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 track, it doesn't offer many overtaking opportunities.
More races are always better." The uncertainty surrounding the final two rounds has added an extra layer of intrigue to the current weekend's program. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with action, starting with a F2 Sprint on Friday morning at 5:10 am, followed by the third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP at 9:15 am (the session itself begins at 9:30 am). Later on Friday, the F2 Feature Race 1 will run at 11:10 am, and the qualifying build‑up for the main event kicks off 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, a popular analysis segment. Saturday's schedule continues the marathon with the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, followed by the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself starts at noon, with the race expected to finish around 2:00 pm, after which the post‑race reaction and analysis will be broadcast at 3:00 pm, again featuring Ted's Notebook. All of these sessions are also available live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The broader context of the calendar reshuffle highlights the delicate balance that Formula 1 must maintain between sporting ambition and geopolitical realities. The sport has grown significantly in the Middle East over the past decade, with state‑of‑the‑art facilities in Qatar and Abu Dhabi becoming marquee events that attract global viewership and substantial commercial revenue.
Losing those rounds would not only affect the championship's narrative but also have financial repercussions for the teams, sponsors, and local economies that depend on the influx of fans and media. From a logistical perspective, the teams have already shipped equipment and prepared travel itineraries for the Middle Eastern leg of the season. A last‑minute cancellation would entail complex re‑routing of freight, re‑booking of personnel, and potential penalties under existing contracts.
This is why the contingency plan involving Imola is being treated as a safety net rather than a primary option. In summary, the F1 community is awaiting a mid‑October verdict that will confirm whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will proceed as planned or be replaced by a race at Imola.
The decision will hinge on the evolving security situation in the region, and the sport's leadership has pledged to keep teams and fans informed as soon as possible. Until then, the focus remains on delivering an exciting weekend in Baku, with a full slate of races and analysis that keep the championship momentum alive.