F1 bosses will hold the final two rounds of the 2026 season in the Middle East after a deadline to move a race to Italy passed. The championship had to cancel April events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of ongoing conflict, casting doubt on the season‑ender in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
A contingency plan had slated Imola for a December race, but the Italian circuit was told Tuesday it would not be needed, confirming F1’s intention to proceed with the scheduled Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. The Qatar Grand Prix is set for November 27‑29, followed by Abu Dhabi on December 4‑6, completing a triple‑header that begins with Las Vegas on November 20‑22.
F1 president Stefano Domenicali said the final races would be held as planned unless the Middle East situation worsens, while FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted that the governing body is “fully prepared” for the two iconic circuits. Teams and drivers have expressed trust in the sport’s judgment, and the season will fall just one race short of the original 24‑race schedule after Bahrain was moved to Malaysia.
Safety remains a top priority, and F1 officials said they would not hesitate to cancel the races if the security environment changes. The Lusail International Circuit in Qatar recently hosted Moto GP, and there were earlier security concerns that led Yamaha to withdraw, though the event passed without incident. Kimi Antonelli claimed the drivers’ title in Mexico City, and his Mercedes team secured the constructors’ championship a week later in Brazil.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing