F1 Intends to End 2026 Season in the Middle East Despite Regional Tensions

Formula 1 intends to end its 2026 season in the Middle East as scheduled, with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix set to close the campaign despite ongoing hostilities in the region, according to a report from ESPN published Thursday.

With six races remaining, the season is scheduled to finish with a triple-header of Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The status of the final two races had been uncertain after Audi team principal Mattia Binotto said at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix that mid-October was the last call for a decision, a deadline set by the F1 Commission. That deadline has now passed with the races still on.

ESPN reports the sport has been in contact with authorities in both countries and that plans to end the season in the Middle East remain in place. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said during the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang in Malaysia: "The last two Grands Prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. This is the direction we've taken based on the information and reassurances we have."

Italy's Imola circuit remains the backup plan, with grandstands reportedly being prepared in case the Gulf races are called off — a scenario in which the two Middle East races would be replaced by a single race at Imola, dropping one event entirely and changing the title math for Kimi Antonelli's championship push.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled outright in April, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was relocated to Sepang earlier this month and won by Max Verstappen.