The season is currently in its final stretch, with six races remaining on the schedule. The closing sequence of the year features a triple-header beginning in Las Vegas, followed by the season-ending events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. While reports had previously suggested that a final decision regarding the feasibility of these Middle Eastern rounds would be reached by mid-October, current indications suggest that plans remain unchanged.
Commitment to the Final Calendar
The status of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix had been the subject of significant discussion, particularly following comments from Audi team principal Mattia Binotto in late September. Binotto noted during a press conference in Baku that the F1 Commission had identified mid-October as a critical window for finalizing decisions regarding the end-of-season schedule. However, recent reports indicate that Formula 1 has maintained consistent contact with local authorities in both host nations and has not moved to activate any alternative arrangements.
While there had been speculation regarding the potential for Italy’s Imola circuit to serve as a backup venue—a scenario that would have involved replacing the two Middle Eastern races with a single event in Italy—the sport has pushed back against these suggestions. As of October 15, the official stance remains that the calendar is locked in as published.
Context of Regional Adjustments
The current stability of the final two rounds follows earlier disruptions to the 2026 calendar. In April, Formula 1 was forced to make adjustments due to regional instability, resulting in the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia. These changes highlighted the complexities of managing a global racing schedule during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
Addressing the situation during the Bahrain Grand Prix event held in Malaysia, F1 CEO
