As Formula 1 enters the final phase of the season, with three triple-headers on paper, the question remains where the 2026 season will end. In theory, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are still scheduled, and F1 strongly emphasises that, as things stand, this remains plan A.

At the same time, F1 has to be prepared for a scenario in which those races have to be cancelled because of continued unrest in the Middle East, so the green light has been given behind the scenes to work on a plan B. That plan B is the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Sources within F1 told Autosport that Imola organisers have been given the green light to build grandstands and prepare as if the race will take place.

Building grandstands without final confirmation brings financial risks, but sources say F1 is covering all those risks. F1 is fully paying for preparations, and Imola will not face financial risk regardless of the outcome. F1 wants to wait as long as possible before a final decision, given the financial attractiveness of the Middle East races.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali initially said a decision would be made in mid-September, but team principals now point to mid-October as the new timeframe. Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu and Audi's Mattia Binotto both confirmed this, with Binotto noting that mid-October is the last call for such a decision. The main challenges are organisational and logistical, not technical.