News Summary
- FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says there is no rush to cancel or relocate the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
- The governing body will consult local governments and promoters while continuing to monitor the security situation in the Middle East.
- Formula 1 has set mid-September as the point by which it expects to decide whether the two races can go ahead, with Imola among the alternatives being considered.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the governing body is in no rush to decide the fate of the Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at the end of the 2026 season. While stressing that the safety of drivers, teams and personnel will not be compromised, Ben Sulayem said the FIA will take its time and listen to local governments and event promoters before making a decision.
The Middle East conflict has already forced major changes to the 2026 F1 calendar. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were affected earlier in the season, with the Bahrain round ultimately relocated to Sepang in Malaysia for October. Qatar and Abu Dhabi, meanwhile, remain scheduled as the final two rounds of the championship on November 29 and December 6 respectively.
Although a ceasefire was reached in June, further attacks have taken place since then, leaving the security situation unresolved.credita que é necessário conversar com os promotores locais antes de tomar qualquer decisão.
FIA takes a different approach to F1
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously indicated that a decision on Qatar and Abu Dhabi would come no earlier than mid-September. If the races cannot be held, Formula 1 has already been evaluating European alternatives.
Imola has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace the Abu Dhabi finale, while the Italian federation has also publicly described the circuit as an ideal solution should changes become necessary.
Ben Sulayem, however, said there is no reason to rush into a decision before the situation becomes clearer.
“Everything remains as before. Being from that part of the world, we can’t jump the gun and simply say, ‘That’s it, we’re cancelling,’ and cancel it outright. We will not change anything unless it is necessary,” the FIA president told The Associated Press.
The FIA’s position is therefore to continue monitoring developments rather than activate a definitive contingency plan immediately.
Safety remains the deciding factor
Ben Sulayem made clear that the absence of urgency should not be interpreted as a willingness to expose anyone involved in the championship to unnecessary risks.
“Are we going to allow our people, our staff, the drivers or the teams to take risks? Of course not,” he said.
“But we will also have to listen to the governments and the local promoter,” he added.
The comments come as Formula 1 approaches the deadline it established for determining whether the final two races of the season can safely proceed. The championship has already demonstrated its willingness to adapt after moving the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia, while further calendar changes remain possible.
Formula 1 has also ruled out a Las Vegas double-header as a solution, meaning a European alternative would become the leading option if Qatar and Abu Dhabi are ultimately deemed unviable.
For now, however, Ben Sulayem says the FIA is not prepared to make that call prematurely.
The 2026 F1 season continues this weekend, September 11-13, with the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madrid street circuit. GRANDE PRÊMIO will follow all the action from the 14th round of the championship.
FAQ
When will F1 decide whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi will remain on the 2026 calendar?
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has indicated that the decision will come no earlier than mid-September. The FIA, meanwhile, says it will continue consulting governments and local promoters while monitoring the security situation.
What could replace the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix?
If the Middle Eastern races cannot take place, Formula 1 is expected to look to Europe. Imola is currently one of the leading options for the season finale, while other European venues have also been discussed.
Why was the 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix moved to Malaysia?
The Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Sepang because of the security situation in the Middle East. The race will take place from October 2-4, forming a triple-header with Azerbaijan and Singapore.
