F1 Chief Says Season Finale Could Shift to Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi Races Are Affected by War
Stefano Domenicali said Formula One has options if Middle East races are disrupted, with Bahrain already rescheduled in Malaysia.
- On Wednesday, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali announced the 2026 season could conclude in Europe if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are canceled due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
- The ongoing US-Iran war forced the cancellation of scheduled rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April, prompting F1 to secure the Sepang circuit in Malaysia as an alternative venue.
- A 'middle of September' deadline for the final decision has been set, with Imola, Turkey, Portugal, and Hockenheim in Germany identified as potential European venues for the season's conclusion.
- Although the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are currently sold out, Domenicali confirmed the sport maintains contingency plans should the regional situation deteriorate further.
- For 2027, the sport intends to maintain a 24-race calendar, with ongoing negotiations for new host countries in Africa, Asia, and South America progressing positively.
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Domenicali confirmed that if the situation in the Middle East does not improve until mid-September, the last races of the time will be held in Europe. Imola emerges as a favorite.
Formula 1 director Stefano Domenicali stated that the 2026 championship will end in Europe if, due to the conflict in the Middle East, it is not possible to hold the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
F1 leaders have not yet taken decisions on whether or not to hold the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi at the end of the season. These races could be relocated to Europe.
Radio France Internationale
France24F1 boss says season to finish in Europe if Gulf races cancelled
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix were scrapped earlier this season due to the start of Israel and the United States' war with Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually rescheduled and will now be held in Malaysia on October 4. Domenicali said F1 would decide whether or not to go ahead with the race in Qatar, scheduled for November 29, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 6, by mid-September. "That moment will be not be before…
Formula One season to end in Europe if no Middle East races: F1 CEO
Races scheduled for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in April were called off due to the Iran war, with Malaysia’s Sepang circuit now due to host the latter on October 4, with the Gulf kingdom paying most of the costs.
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