The Formula One teams have been told that a definitive answer about 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 races: 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 events as planned. Despite the uncertainty, both races remain on the official calendar, which currently lists 23 Grand Prix weekends.
Sources at Sky Sports News indicate that the governing body’s intention is still to run the two Middle Eastern rounds, but a contingency plan is in place should the security situation deteriorate further. The Italian circuit at Imola, which traditionally hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, is being prepared as a backup venue that could replace the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds if they are ultimately cancelled. The matter was discussed at an F1 Commission meeting on Monday, and team principals were briefed during Thursday's press conference at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Haas team boss 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. Imola is being readied in case we have to switch to it, but the hope is that the original plan stays intact and we can travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi as scheduled. That would be fantastic." Audi’s former technical director Mattia Binotto echoed the timeline, noting, "We covered this during the F1 Commission on Monday. Mid‑October is the final deadline for a decision." Craig Slater, Sky Sports' F1 correspondent, added further context: "Leadership sources within Formula 1 have confirmed that both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still on the calendar and the goal remains to hold them.
The current assessment of regional stability suggests that if the situation holds steady over the next few weeks, the races could proceed without issue. Only a fresh deterioration would force a cancellation." He continued, "Imola is being kept as a contingency, but the organizers are not forced to commit to it at the expense of the two Middle Eastern events. Should the latter be called off, Imola would step in, and the sport has promised to compensate the circuit for any financial losses incurred while preparing for a possible replacement race." The consensus among the teams is that a clear statement will be delivered in mid‑October, and all eyes will be on the developments in the region leading up to that date.
In Baku, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton expressed his personal desire to see the sport return to the Middle East as originally planned. "I love going to the Middle East and I really want to race there," Hamilton said.
"From what I've read, the situation seems to be stabilising, 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." Hamilton also commented on the alternative of finishing the season at Imola, noting the weather and track characteristics: "Winter in Imola might not be ideal weather‑wise, and while it's a beautiful circuit, it doesn't offer many overtaking opportunities.
More races are always better for the sport and for the fans." 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 an F2 Sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the third practice session for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at 9:15 am (the session officially starts at 9:30 am). The F2 Feature Race 1 takes place at 11:10 am, leading into the qualifying build‑up at 12:30 pm, with the Grand Prix qualifying itself slated for 1:00 pm.
The day wraps up with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, continues with the second F2 Feature Race at 7:55 am, a Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am, and the main Azerbaijan Grand Prix race at noon. The race concludes with a post‑race reaction segment at 2:00 pm and Ted's Notebook at 3:00 pm.
All of these events are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix marks the start of a triple‑header of races for the 2026 season, with the Baku event scheduled for Saturday midday.
Fans can stream the coverage via Sky Sports through the NOW platform, which offers a contract‑free subscription that can be cancelled at any time. In summary, while the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain on the provisional calendar, the final decision hinges on the security environment in the Middle East.
Teams have been given a clear timeframe—mid‑October—to receive a definitive answer. Should circumstances force a cancellation, Imola stands ready as a fallback venue, with financial safeguards in place to offset any losses the circuit might suffer.
Until that deadline passes, the sport, its teams, and its drivers remain hopeful that the original plan will survive, allowing the season to conclude in the glamorous settings of Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally intended.