Formula 1 Plans Qatar and Abu Dhabi Finish to 2026 Season

Formula 1 intends to conclude its 2026 season as scheduled with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, despite continuing hostilities in the Middle East. The sport’s plans for the final two rounds remain unchanged as of October 15, according to a report by ESPN and comments from Formula 1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

Six races remain in the season, which is due to finish with a triple-header comprising Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix had faced scrutiny because of regional tensions, but Formula 1 has remained in contact with authorities in both countries and is proceeding with its existing calendar.

The decision matters because the final two scheduled races would determine how the 2026 campaign closes after a season already affected by changes in the region. Formula 1 had cancelled the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Bahrain Grand Prix in April amid the conflict. The Bahrain race was later relocated to Malaysia, while the Saudi Arabian round was cancelled altogether.

Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the Formula 1 calendar

Domenicali said during the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia that Qatar and Abu Dhabi were still part of the season schedule. He said the calendar was confirmed and that the final two Grands Prix would take place in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

“Yes, as we’ve already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two Grands Prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” Domenicali said.

He added that the direction had been taken on the basis of available information and reassurances, which he said Formula 1 must have. Domenicali described that as the strategy the sport would apply through the end of the year.

The latest position follows earlier uncertainty around whether a decision would be required in mid-October. Audi team principal Mattia Binotto had said at a press conference in Baku on September 24 that mid-October was the final point for such a call, referring to discussions at the F1 Commission.

“As we discussed during the F1 Commission last Monday, mid-October is the last call for such a decision,” Binotto said at the time.

As of October 15, however, Formula 1 had not announced any change to the Qatar or Abu Dhabi rounds. The report said the sport’s plans to complete the season in the Middle East remained in place following contact with authorities in both host countries.

Imola had been considered as a contingency option

Italy’s Imola had been preparing as a backup possibility should the two Middle East races have been called off. Under that scenario, the source said the two events would have been replaced by one race at Imola, with one race removed from the calendar.

Formula 1 has since pushed back against the suggestion that it was preparing to confirm an alternative venue for the end of the 2026 season. That leaves the calendar unchanged for now: Las Vegas is followed by Qatar and then Abu Dhabi, with the latter two events set to provide the scheduled finish.

The position remains subject to any future announcement by Formula 1, but the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are currently listed to go ahead. After the earlier cancellation of Saudi Arabia and the relocation of Bahrain to Malaysia, retaining the final two races would allow Formula 1 to end the season according to its present plan.