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.

The announcement marks a historic milestone for motorsport, ensuring that the premier racing series will finally feature a round on every inhabited continent. The inaugural event is scheduled to take place from the early 2030s once circuit construction is finalized.

The centerpiece of the ambitious project will be a state-of-the-art, purpose-built racing facility located in Bugesera. Situated approximately 40 kilometres south of the capital city of Kigali, the new circuit will be positioned adjacent to the region's international airport.

Preliminary artistic renderings released by organizers indicate a fast and flowing track layout. The circuit design aims to work in harmony with the natural landscape, utilizing significant elevation changes to provide a unique challenge for drivers.

Formula 1 leadership has confirmed that the grid's competing drivers will be consulted on the final technical details of the layout. Track designer Alex Wurz has been tasked with shaping the venue to deliver an engaging spectacle for competitors and spectators alike.

The formal agreement was announced during a special ceremony in Kigali on Tuesday morning. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Formula 1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali were joined by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem to unveil the project.

President Kagame addressed the gathering to celebrate the momentous occasion for the nation and the wider continent. He emphasized that the collaboration represents a transformative opportunity for local economic growth, tourism, and talent development.

President Kagame stated: Today belongs to Africa. For more than three decades, the world's premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent. Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa.

The Rwandan leader also highlighted the broader social impact expected from hosting the global racing series. He noted that the initiative will inspire younger generations, creating pathways into engineering, technical roles, entrepreneurship, and professional driving.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali praised the partnership and described the announcement as a pivotal moment for the sport. He noted that the organization was committed to returning to Africa with the correct long-term partner and a clear vision.

Stefano Domenicali stated: Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe.

Domenicali added that Africa has always remained an integral part of the championship's future strategy. He acknowledged the passionate fanbase across the continent, estimating that over 100 million supporters reside in the region.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also welcomed the historic development for global motorsport governance. He praised the dedication shown by the Rwandan authorities in preparing to deliver a world-class sporting spectacle.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: This is an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport. Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.

The successful bid follows a formal expression of interest submitted by Rwanda in December 2024. That formal declaration coincided with the hosting of the annual FIA prize-giving gala in Kigali, which served to showcase the nation's infrastructural ambitions.

Several other African nations had previously expressed interest in securing a spot on the Formula 1 calendar. Countries including South Africa, Nigeria, and Morocco engaged in discussions with series organizers regarding potential grand prix hosting duties.

Proposals involving South Africa focused on prospective events at Kyalami, north of Johannesburg, as well as a street circuit concept in Cape Town. Despite those alternative bids, Rwanda ultimately secured the exclusive long-term contract.

The return to Africa closes a lengthy hiatus that began after the 1993 South African Grand Prix. That previous fixture at the Kyalami circuit remains the last occasion on which a Formula 1 world championship round was contested on the continent.

The campaign to bring Formula 1 back to Africa has received consistent backing from prominent figures within the paddock. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly used his platform to advocate for a grand prix on the continent.

Ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton reiterated his strong sentiments regarding the geographical omission. The British driver described Africa as the most important and beautiful continent, expressing frustration that it was excluded from the schedule.

Hamilton revealed that he had spent considerable time lobbying in the background to encourage series management. He praised the persistent efforts of Stefano Domenicali, who made multiple trips to the continent in recent years to evaluate potential opportunities.

While the long-term agreement with Rwanda is firmly established, exact calendar dates and completion milestones remain unconfirmed. Formula 1 officials indicated that further details regarding the inaugural race weekend will be announced in due course.

The incoming fixture will integrate into a future calendar that currently features a maximum cap of 24 events per season. Several existing circuits hold hosting contracts that expire before the arrival of the African Grand Prix in the early 2030s.