Formula 1 is sticking with its plan to finish the season in the Middle East. A backup plan to end the year in Italy has been dropped, at least for now.
Formula 1 has told Imola it will not be needed to host a season finale, leaving the F1 calendar set to end in Qatar and Abu Dhabi barring unforeseen events, the sport confirmed Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026.
Why was Imola on standby?
F1 had created a backup plan to finish the season at the Italian circuit on Dec. 6 in case fighting resumed in the Middle East after the U.S. midterm elections. Imola, which has hosted races in recent years, was ready to step in on short notice.
Imola had started building grandstands but needed to know by Tuesday whether to fully commit, according to reports. F1 has now told the circuit it will not be required. The circuit had needed an answer to avoid spending heavily on a race that might not happen.
What does the F1 calendar look like now?
As things stand, the F1 calendar closes with three races on consecutive weekends, in Las Vegas on Nov. 21, Qatar on Nov. 29 and Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6.
F1 has said it is in constant contact with the governments of Qatar and Abu Dhabi and is watching travel advice from European countries where its 11 teams are based. The sport has said the safety of teams, staff and fans is its top priority.
The sport was encouraged after MotoGP, also owned by Liberty Media, raced without problems at the Qatar circuit last weekend. Yamaha’s MotoGP team skipped that event because of its company travel policy, but no F1 team has similar restrictions. The smooth MotoGP weekend helped reassure organizers that the region was safe for a major event.
Could the final races still be canceled?
Yes. The final two races could still be scrapped if hostilities resume, according to reports. Without Imola, the season would then end in Las Vegas. Organizers have said they will keep monitoring the situation closely.
President Donald Trump said Monday that new military action against Iran is quite unlikely, which could ease concerns about traveling to the region. Talks mediated by Qatar to end the conflict are continuing.
Why do the last races on the F1 calendar matter?
Both championships are already decided. Kimi Antonelli clinched the drivers’ title in Mexico City, and Mercedes sealed the constructors’ title in Brazil. Antonelli became the youngest champion in the sport’s history.
But the constructors’ standings decide how prize money is divided, and several teams are still fighting for positions further down the order before the F1 calendar ends. Even small differences in position can mean millions of dollars for a team.
F1’s commercial agreement with its teams requires at least 22 races a year, according to reports, though deals with broadcasters will be satisfied once the Las Vegas race is complete. Falling short of that number could have financial consequences, though the details are private.
How has the war affected the F1 calendar?
The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran forced F1 to cancel races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April. Bahrain paid to reschedule its event at a circuit in Malaysia in October. The cancellations marked one of the biggest disruptions to the sport’s schedule in years.
If the final two races were canceled, the F1 calendar would be left with 21 races, one short of the minimum in the team agreement.
For now, the sport is moving ahead at full speed with its original plan for the F1 calendar.
