Formula 1 has confirmed the 2026 season will conclude with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix as scheduled. The decision, announced on November 10, 2026, dismisses contingency plans for the Imola Circuit in Italy.
The Qatar Grand Prix is set for November 27-29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4-6. These races will form the final two rounds of the championship.
Uncertainty surrounding these events stemmed from the ongoing US/Israel-Iran conflict, which began in February 2026. This conflict affected neighbouring nations including Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Earlier in the 2026 season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, originally scheduled for April, was cancelled. The Bahrain Grand Prix, also slated for April, was relocated and held at Sepang in Malaysia in October.
Imola had been prepared as a potential replacement venue for the season finale. Preliminary grandstands were constructed, with Formula 1 covering the costs of these preparations.
However, F1 informed Imola on November 10, 2026, that its services would not be required. This decision was based on logistical and freight planning, as F1 could not keep the Italian circuit on indefinite standby.
“Imola was only an option in the event we made a decision not to go to the Middle East at the end of the season and would have taken place on the Abu Dhabi weekend. We cannot let Imola wait indefinitely. Therefore, we have informed them today that we will not require them at the end of the season.”
An F1 spokesperson stated that ‘nothing has negatively developed in the region and specifically in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in recent months.’
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem reaffirmed readiness for the events via Instagram on November 10, 2026. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali had consistently maintained the races would proceed.
The broader regional conflict had previously impacted other motorsport events. The World Endurance Championship moved its final two Middle East rounds to Barcelona and Monza.
MotoGP’s Qatar Grand Prix was postponed from April to November 6-8. Yamaha withdrew from that event, citing corporate travel warnings, and 19 riders expressed concerns about racing.
Early in the conflict, travel to the Australian Grand Prix was disrupted due to airspace closures and airport shutdowns in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha following Iranian missile attacks.
F1 has continuously monitored regional developments and consulted with local authorities. UK travel guidance against ‘all but essential’ travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi has since been lifted.
Max Verstappen had initially expressed reservations about racing near conflict zones but later clarified his trust in F1 and FIA to make appropriate decisions based on available information.
The Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail International Circuit and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit will now conclude the 2026 Formula 1 season.
