News Summary
- Stefano Domenicali says no decision has been made on whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix will remain on the 2026 F1 calendar.
- The Formula 1 CEO said the championship will only proceed with the races if conditions guarantee the safety and full operation of teams and personnel.
- Domenicali also revealed that F1 speaks with the teams every week as it monitors the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says the championship has yet to make a decision on the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, which are currently scheduled to close the 2026 season. The Italian executive said F1 continues to monitor the situation and is in constant contact with the teams, while making clear that the races will only go ahead if adequate safety guarantees are in place.
The uncertainty surrounding the final rounds of the season stems from the escalation of tensions involving the United States and Iran, which forced changes to the F1 calendar earlier this year. Bahrain was ultimately moved to Sepang in Malaysia, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain scheduled for November 29 and December 6 respectively.
The FIA also said it is in no rush to decide the fate of the two Middle Eastern races, with safety and consultations with governments and local promoters remaining central to the process.
Formula 1 had previously indicated that a decision would be made around mid-September, with European alternatives such as Imola being considered if the Middle Eastern races become impossible.
Domenicali, however, has now reiterated that the current calendar remains in place while the situation continues to be assessed.
Domenicali keeps Qatar and Abu Dhabi on the calendar for now
Speaking to Italian website AutoRacer, Domenicali said F1 still intends to keep the scheduled calendar unless circumstances force a change.
“At the moment, we want to confirm that the calendar will remain as it is. We still need confirmation for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but I don’t want to hide behind situations that I cannot address transparently with you,” Domenicali said.
“We are monitoring the situation because, obviously, there will be moments when, if the conditions do not guarantee safety and full operating conditions, we will have to make other decisions,” he added.
The F1 CEO then reiterated that Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar for the time being.
“For now, I confirm: the calendar is the one that you all know,” he said.
The uncertainty has already forced Formula 1 to alter the original 24-round schedule. The Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Sepang, where it will now take place from October 2-4 alongside the Azerbaijan and Singapore rounds.
That means the championship is currently scheduled to continue through Las Vegas before heading to Qatar and Abu Dhabi for the final two rounds.
F1 speaks to teams every week
The uncertainty surrounding the final races is particularly important for teams because any late calendar change would affect travel, logistics, staffing and car preparation.
Domenicali said Formula 1 is therefore maintaining continuous communication with the teams rather than waiting until a final decision is required.
“My dialogue with them is continuous, permanent, and we speak every week,” he said.
That approach mirrors the FIA’s position, with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also stressing that the governing body is monitoring developments and consulting the relevant authorities before reaching a conclusion.
The final decision will ultimately depend on whether the security situation allows Formula 1 to operate normally in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Imola remains an alternative for the season finale
If the Middle Eastern races cannot take place, Formula 1 has already identified potential European alternatives.
Imola has emerged as one of the leading candidates to host a late-season race, with the Automobile Club d’Italia openly preparing for the possibility of bringing another F1 round to Italy.
The circuit’s candidacy is part of a broader contingency plan for the end of the championship. F1 has also ruled out turning the Las Vegas Grand Prix into a double-header, meaning any replacement for the Middle Eastern races would need to be found elsewhere.
For now, however, Formula 1 is not announcing a replacement and is maintaining Qatar and Abu Dhabi on the schedule.
The latest official calendar still lists the Qatar Grand Prix for November 27-29 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for December 4-6, although both events remain subject to the ongoing review.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend, from September 11-13, with the Spanish Grand Prix at Madrid’s new Madring circuit. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all sessions and activities from the 14th round of the championship.
FAQ
Will the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix happen in 2026?
They remain on the official F1 calendar for now, but Formula 1 has not made a final decision. The races will only go ahead if the security and operational conditions are considered adequate.
When will F1 decide about Qatar and Abu Dhabi?
Formula 1 has previously indicated that the decision would come around mid-September. Stefano Domenicali has now said the situation remains under monitoring and that no final decision has been made.
Could Imola replace Abu Dhabi as the 2026 F1 finale?
Yes. Imola is among the European venues being considered as a contingency option if the Middle Eastern races cannot take place. Italian officials have publicly described the circuit as a potential solution for the season finale.
