Summary
- Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain the final two rounds of the 2026 championship.
- Qatar is scheduled for 27–29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi on 4–6 December.
- Domenicali confirmed the plan at Sepang after uncertainty over a possible European replacement.
Formula 1 has confirmed that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remain on the 2026 calendar and will conclude the season. Championship president and CEO Stefano Domenicali announced the decision in an interview with Sky Sport Italia on Saturday, 3 October, at Sepang, which is hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The announcement provides clarity over the championship’s planned conclusion after months of uncertainty. Qatar will host the penultimate round on 27–29 November at Lusail, while Abu Dhabi remains the season finale on 4–6 December at Yas Marina.
“As we have already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two Grands Prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. This is the direction we have taken based on the information and the assurances we have — and which we absolutely need to have,” Domenicali told the Italian broadcaster.
Domenicali reinforced that this will be Formula 1’s strategy for the remainder of the year. His statement follows a period in which the championship considered a European alternative, with Imola available if conditions in the Middle East prevented the scheduled races from going ahead.
The confirmation does not end Formula 1’s monitoring of the regional situation. The championship continues to assess developments and the assurances underpinning its plans for the two events.
When are the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix?
The two races retain their scheduled positions at the end of the championship, with consecutive weekends taking the season from Lusail to Yas Marina.
| Grand Prix | Circuit | Weekend | Race date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qatar | Lusail International Circuit | 27–29 November | 29 November |
| Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina Circuit | 4–6 December | 6 December |
The announcement therefore maintains the expected sporting conclusion of the season. Teams and drivers will prepare for Qatar as the penultimate event before travelling to Abu Dhabi for the final round.
Domenicali’s remarks establish the championship’s current position, although a separate formal announcement from Formula 1 was still awaited at the time of the report.
Why was the end of the F1 season uncertain?
The conflict in the Middle East had raised questions over whether the championship could stage its final two events in the region. Earlier planning included the possibility of completing the season in Europe if Qatar and Abu Dhabi could not proceed.
Imola emerged as a potential replacement venue, but Domenicali’s latest statement confirms that the championship is proceeding with the original finale. That decision rests on the information and assurances available to Formula 1.
The situation has already affected the 2026 calendar. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, originally scheduled for April, were cancelled, removing two races from the early part of the season.
Bahrain’s event was subsequently recovered through an exceptional agreement to stage it at Sepang in Malaysia. The race retains its Bahrain Grand Prix designation despite taking place at a different venue and in a different country.
The arrangement brought Formula 1 back to Sepang for the first time since 2017. The background to the relocation is explained in why the Bahrain Grand Prix is being held in Malaysia.
For Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the plan remains to race at their established circuits. Lusail and Yas Marina will conclude the championship unless subsequent developments require a change.
Formula 1 continues this weekend, from 2–4 October, in Malaysia, which hosts the Bahrain Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Sepang.
F1 today: FAQ
What time is F1 qualifying at Sepang?
Qualifying starts on Saturday, 3 October, at 16:00 Malaysia time. That is 09:00 BST in the UK, 04:00 EDT in New York and Toronto, 01:00 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver, 13:30 IST in India and 18:00 AEST in Sydney.
Did Lewis Hamilton receive a grid penalty for the Bortoleto incident?
No. Hamilton received a warning after impeding Gabriel Bortoleto during FP2 at Sepang. Ferrari was fined €10,000, but Hamilton will not lose grid positions over the incident.
Why were F1 lap times at Sepang over four seconds slower than expected?
Pirelli identified low grip, dust and an abrasive surface that increased tyre sliding and degradation. Friday’s benchmark was more than four seconds slower than its qualifying simulation reference, rather than four seconds slower than the 2017 race weekend.
Are Qatar and Abu Dhabi confirmed on the 2026 F1 calendar?
Yes. Stefano Domenicali confirmed that Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain the final two rounds, based on the information and assurances received by Formula 1.
