F1 to decide by September if Qatar and Abu Dhabi races stay

Formula 1 will decide by mid-September whether the 2026 season can conclude with its scheduled final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with a European finale confirmed as the only contingency plan if ongoing instability in the Middle East forces a change. The announcement was made by Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.

Domenicali stated that the races in Qatar, planned for November 27-29, and Abu Dhabi, scheduled for the following week, remain officially confirmed and are already sold out. However, a final assessment of safety and logistical conditions will be made in September. If the situation is not deemed suitable, the championship will end in Europe. Domenicali explained that logistical constraints, including Brexit-related customs documentation for teams based in the United Kingdom, make relocating the finale outside Europe impractical at such short notice.

The Imola circuit in Italy has been widely mentioned as a leading candidate to host a replacement race, though Domenicali stressed no final decision has been made, calling it merely "an option." Other European venues, including Portimao in Portugal, have also been considered....