Motorsport

Formula One Confirms Season Finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 11, 2026, 02:50 IST

Formula One has officially confirmed that its 2024 season will conclude with the scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, removing the Imola circuit as a potential backup venue.

Formula One Confirms Season Finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi

Formula One has officially confirmed that the 2024 season will conclude as planned in the Middle East, with the final two rounds set to take place in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The sport’s governing body and commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, announced on Tuesday that the Italian circuit of Imola, which had been held as a contingency option, is no longer required for the calendar.

The decision follows consultations with all 11 competing teams, who have expressed their support for the schedule. The move ensures that the season will wrap up with the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29, followed by the season finale in Abu Dhabi the following weekend. The confirmation comes shortly after the MotoGP series successfully hosted its own event at the Lusail circuit near Doha.

Season Conclusion and Safety Considerations

The inclusion of Imola as a potential replacement had been a precautionary measure, intended to serve as a fallback venue on December 6 should regional instability or conflict make travel to the Middle East unsafe. However, with the cutoff date for that decision passing, local organizers in Italy have been notified that their services will not be needed. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed the commitment to the original schedule, stating that the organization is fully prepared to deliver the final two grand prix weekends.

While the championship titles have already been decided—with Kimi Antonelli securing the drivers' crown in Mexico and Mercedes clinching the teams' title in Brazil—the remaining races remain significant for the Formula Two feeder series. The title fight in that category remains active, with Brazilian driver Rafael Camara currently holding a seven-point lead over Red Bull-backed Bulgarian competitor Nikola Tsolov. The final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will now serve as the stage for that championship battle.

Despite the confirmation, Formula One officials maintain that safety remains the primary priority. The sport continues to monitor the regional situation closely, noting that the calendar could still be subject to change should conditions deteriorate. For now, the focus shifts to the upcoming race in Las Vegas, scheduled for November 21, before the paddock moves to the Middle East for the final two rounds of the 23-race season.