F1 reaffirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi as 2026 season finale

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali has reiterated that the championship intends to close its 2026 season with the scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, while keeping Imola available as a contingency if circumstances change.

The Bahrain race has since been rearranged at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, while the Saudi Arabian round was cancelled. Against that backdrop, Imola has been reported as a possible fallback venue for a season-ending race on 6 December if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot go ahead. Preparatory infrastructure work, including temporary grandstands, has reportedly begun at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari as a safeguard.

Gulf finale remains the plan

Domenicali stressed that the alternative has not been activated and that Formula 1’s focus remains on the original schedule.

“Yes, as we’ve already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two grands prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

“This is the direction we’ve taken based on the information and reassurances we have, and which we absolutely must have, of course. It’s the strategy we’ll apply until the end of the year.”

The FIA and Formula 1 are continuing to monitor the security situation, consulting with promoters, local authorities and security specialists ahead of the Qatar race in late November and the Abu Dhabi finale a week later.

Decisions depend on reassurances

For now, the distinction is clear: Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the intended closing rounds, while Imola remains a reserve option rather than a confirmed replacement. Any change, the championship leadership has indicated, will depend on the reassurances received in the weeks ahead.

MotoGP has rescheduled its Qatar round, originally planned for April, to 6–8 November at Lusail rather than cancelling it. Formula 1’s own position, however, remains subject to the continuing assessment of conditions and has not been guaranteed to remain unchanged.