Qatar and Abu Dhabi in the balance: teams await decision as Imola stands by
Because of the Iran war, the season finale is still uncertain. F1 is sticking with Qatar (29 Nov) and Abu Dhabi (6 Dec), while Imola prepares as a back-up for 6 December.
Archive image · Photo: Trinidade / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped and resized)
A week before the United States Grand Prix in Austin (23–25 October), it is still unclear where the 2026 Formula 1 season will end. The war in Iran already forced the cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April. For the final two rounds, in Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi on 6 December, F1 is officially sticking to its plans. "Yes, as we've already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two Grands Prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi," F1 chief Stefano Domenicali said in early October, according to GPFans.
As a fallback, Imola is preparing to host a race on 6 December. The teams want clarity: Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu told RaceFans, "I believe Stefano was targeting to tell us in mid-October." He pointed to logistical challenges at Imola, such as motorhome structures and staffing. Audi team principal Mattia Binotto also said the "main challenges are more organisation and logistics".
The uncertainty also affects the title fight. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has 340 points after 17 rounds, 102 ahead of his Mercedes team-mate George Russell. According to Motorsport-Total.com, he would be champion in Austin if he extends that lead to at least 125 points. With a smaller margin, a cancellation could hand him the title without a race being run.