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F1 Sets Mid-September Deadline for Qatar and Abu Dhabi Races — AI-generated representative image. Imola circuit in Italy has been identified as a leading candidate to host the F1 season finale if Qatar and Abu Dhabi races a

Editorial Team

Stefano Domenicali confirms Europe will host the season finale if Gulf rounds are cancelled, with Imola emerging as the leading replacement

Formula One has set a mid-September deadline to decide whether the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can proceed as scheduled, with CEO Stefano Domenicali confirming that the championship will conclude in Europe if the Gulf rounds are cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The announcement underscores the widening impact of regional instability on global sport, following the earlier cancellation of April races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. F1 now faces a logistical race against time to secure alternative venues while preserving a 24-race calendar.

Key Decisions and Deadlines

Domenicali told reporters on Wednesday that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain officially confirmed and are already sold out. However, the mid-September cutoff will allow F1 to assess the security situation before making any changes.

Italy's Imola circuit has been identified as a leading candidate to replace either Gulf round. The track, Domenicali's birthplace and home to Ferrari, was dropped from the 2026 calendar but could return despite concerns about late-season weather conditions. Domenicali noted that temperatures during November's Las Vegas night race were colder than those in Europe.

The option of hosting two races in Las Vegas was considered but rejected. "We don't want to ruin a jewel that is growing," Domenicali said, adding that scheduling would clash with the NFL regular season.

Conflict's Growing Impact on Motorsport

The US-Israel war on Iran has already disrupted the 2026 F1 calendar. Races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain scheduled for April were called off, with Malaysia's Sepang circuit stepping in to host the Bahrain round on October 4, funded largely by the Gulf kingdom.

The FIA-sanctioned World Endurance Championship has also relocated its final two rounds, moving events from Qatar and Bahrain to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya and Italy's Monza in October and November.

Qatar is currently scheduled to host F1 on November 29, with Abu Dhabi set for December 6. If relocated, the season would conclude at European circuits, as Domenicali confirmed the sport cannot move the finale to other regions at such short notice.

Calendar Plans and Expansion

Looking ahead to 2027, Domenicali revealed that Portugal and Turkiye will return as new rounds on next year's calendar. The full 2027 schedule has yet to be published, though Bahrain had been expected to reclaim its season-opener slot from Australia in March before the conflict erupted. Publication is planned for later this year.

Domenicali confirmed F1 remains committed to a 24-race calendar in 2027. "Of course, in case the situation in the Middle East would not be solved, we have options, different plans. But the trigger for that is at the end of the year. So we still have a lot of time," he said.

Longer-term expansion is also under discussion, with positive negotiations underway for potential races in Africa and interest from Asia and South America. However, Domenicali indicated that adding a second Chinese Grand Prix is not imminent: "We want to stay with one race in China because we need to consolidate the market before thinking to have another option there."

What Happens Next

The Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain confirmed on the 2026 calendar for now. A final decision on any venue changes will be made by mid-September, with Imola positioned as the primary European alternative. F1 continues to monitor the security situation in the Middle East while simultaneously developing contingency plans for the 2027 season should regional instability persist.