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Wednesday, 11 November 2026Wed 11 Nov 202611:42PKT · 2thesports.com Updated 11:22
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Formula 1

Formula 1 confirms Middle East finale as Imola standby ends

The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will conclude the 2026 season after the Italian circuit's contingency role expired on Tuesday.

Formula 1 confirms Middle East finale as Imola standby ends

Formula 1 will finish the 2026 season with the originally scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi after the deadline to activate a backup venue at Imola passed on Tuesday.

The Qatar Grand Prix is set for 27-29 November at Lusail International Circuit, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit from 4-6 December, completing a triple-header that begins with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on 20-22 November.

Formula 1 informed Imola organisers on Tuesday that the historic Italian circuit would not be required, confirming the sport's intention to proceed with the Middle East rounds as planned.

The contingency had been arranged because ongoing conflict in the region led to the cancellation of April's Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, with Bahrain later rescheduled and held in Malaysia in September.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem posted on Instagram on Tuesday stating the governing body is "fully prepared" for the final two rounds.

"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," Ben Sulayem wrote. "We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding Grands Prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the FIA Formula One World Championship."

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has maintained throughout the season that the final races would be held at their scheduled venues unless the security situation deteriorated significantly.

It is understood the sport's leadership would not hesitate to cancel the races should the situation change in the coming weeks.

Teams and drivers have repeatedly expressed trust in F1's judgement, and no squad has indicated opposition to completing the season as planned.

In a meeting on Tuesday, teams sought detail and assurances around procedures should any escalation occur before the Middle East rounds.

The Lusail International Circuit hosted a MotoGP round from 6-8 November which passed without incident, although Japanese constructor Yamaha opted not to attend citing security concerns.

The 2026 season will comprise 23 races, one short of the original 24-race calendar, after the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia.

Kimi Antonelli secured the drivers' championship in Mexico City before his Mercedes team clinched the constructors' title a week later in Brazil.

Formula 1's next event is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Sunset Strip from 20-22 November, the first leg of the season-ending triple-header.

The sport will then travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the final two rounds, with all parties preparing for a conclusion to the championship in the Middle East.

Edited by Muhammad Imran Khan · How we report · Report a mistake

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Edited by sports journalist Muhammad Imran Khan, who has covered major international events for years.

Muhammad Imran Khan
EditorMuhammad Imran Khan

Sports journalist who has covered major international events. Every 2TheSports story is published under his editorial standards.