Formula 1 will conclude the 2026 season in Europe if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix cannot take place, Stefano Domenicali has confirmed. Both Middle Eastern races remain on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar, but the championship’s CEO said a definitive assessment would not be made before the middle of September, with Imola among the alternatives under consideration.
Formula 1 has returned to 23 officially scheduled rounds following confirmation that the Malaysian Grand Prix will rejoin the calendar at Sepang. However, a major question mark remains over the traditional season-ending double-header, with the Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for 29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix due to follow on 6 December.
The uncertainty does not concern only the end of the current championship. It also affects the beginning of the 2027 Formula 1 season, as the initial draft of next year’s calendar places the opening two rounds in Bahrain and Jeddah. Speaking at a press conference, Stefano Domenicali addressed both the immediate uncertainty and the scenarios Formula 1 is preparing for over the coming years.
2026 F1 calendar decision expected after mid-September
Following confirmation of Sepang’s return, Formula 1 will wait until the middle of September before reassessing the situation surrounding Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“We will take all the time necessary to assess how the situation develops, and a decision will be taken at the appropriate moment, which will not be before the middle of September. As things stand today, therefore, the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are confirmed, and both are already sold out,” Stefano Domenicali said.
“Naturally, if the situation is not sufficiently clear by mid-September, we will consider the necessary decisions. Imola is among the options being considered, but nothing has been chosen yet. I can only say that it is part of the group of available possibilities. That is what I mean.”
The Italian circuit has already been linked with a potential return as Formula 1 explores ways to preserve the structure of the championship. Stefano Domenicali previously indicated that Imola could return to the Formula 1 calendar if a suitable opportunity became available.
Formula 1 season would finish in Europe without Middle East races
If Qatar and Abu Dhabi are ultimately removed from the 2026 calendar, Formula 1 will not consider replacement races in locations far from the teams’ European bases.
“I can already confirm that, if it were not possible to hold the final two races in the Middle East, the season would end in Europe,” Stefano Domenicali stressed. “That is because we do not have any viable alternatives in other areas of the world. This is the current situation.”
The possibility of further changes has been under discussion for some time, with Formula 1 developing contingency plans for the 2026 calendar. Any late adjustment would have to account for the complex movement of cars, equipment and personnel during the final weeks of the season.
Domenicali responds to concerns over December weather in Europe
The prospect of ending the season in Europe has prompted concerns about whether the continent would be suitable for hosting a Grand Prix in December. Low temperatures and poor weather would be clear risks, but Stefano Domenicali believes the available data provide a different perspective.
“If we look at the statistics for average temperatures in Europe at that time of year, we discover that in many cases it is less cold than Las Vegas during the period when we race there,” the Formula 1 CEO explained. “Those are objective figures and you can verify them.”
“Naturally, nobody can know for certain what the weather will be like. With climate change, it is becoming increasingly difficult to make predictions. We obviously hope that it does not snow. I remember that many years ago at the Nürburgring, we found ourselves racing with a few snowflakes, which then turned into rain.”
Stefano Domenicali added a light-hearted reference to Formula 1’s tyre supplier before reiterating that a European race remained viable: “Pirelli is not ready with snow tyres yet, but jokes aside, I believe the weather conditions would still allow us to race in Europe at the beginning of December.”
Domenicali rules out another Formula 1 race in the United States
A fourth Formula 1 race in the United States will not form part of the contingency plan. The championship already visits Miami, Austin and Las Vegas, and Stefano Domenicali ruled out organising an additional American event or holding two Grands Prix in Las Vegas.
“I can guarantee you one thing,” Stefano Domenicali said. “We will not organise another race in the United States. There was also the possibility of holding two races in Las Vegas, but we do not want to, if you will allow me the term, devalue a jewel that is growing so well.”
Protecting the identity of the Las Vegas Grand Prix is not the only consideration. Formula 1 would also face direct competition from the NFL during that period of the year.
“We must not forget that at that time of year in the United States, we are competing with the NFL, which is one of the country’s most-followed sporting competitions,” Stefano Domenicali explained. “We must avoid putting ourselves in direct competition with something that still has enormous strength in the American market today.”
“When we also consider all the logistical constraints we face — returning to the United Kingdom, handling customs documentation and subsequently transferring to another venue — the only viable solution is to conclude the season in Europe, while essentially maintaining the current structure of the calendar.”
Middle East uncertainty also affects the 2027 F1 calendar
The situation in the Middle East is already having consequences for the preparation of the 2027 Formula 1 calendar. The 2026 schedule was announced during the spring of the previous year, but Formula 1 may now be unable to confirm the next calendar before November.
The opening of the 2027 season is particularly relevant because Bahrain and Saudi Arabia currently occupy the first two positions in the provisional schedule. Questions over regional security have previously created uncertainty surrounding Bahrain’s place on the calendar.
“The calendar we present in the autumn will, let us say, be the one planned under normal conditions,” Stefano Domenicali explained. “Naturally, if the situation in the Middle East is not resolved, we already have several alternative scenarios ready.”
“However, the definitive decision will have to be taken towards the end of the year, so we still have time to adapt. In any case, I want to reassure you: we have already prepared several options that would still allow us to maintain the objective of holding 24 Grands Prix in 2027.”
Formula 1 receives interest from Africa, Asia and South America
Formula 1 continues to receive applications from countries interested in hosting a Grand Prix. Despite the current uncertainty, Stefano Domenicali believes the championship has a strong and stable foundation for its medium-term calendar.
“We receive numerous applications, but we have a very solid base on which to build the future. Looking at least as far ahead as 2028 and 2029, the stability of the calendar is extremely strong,” Stefano Domenicali said. “There are still new venues that could become part of Formula 1, confirming that our sport continues to grow.”
Negotiations are progressing across several regions, while Portugal and Turkey are due to return to the calendar in 2027.
“I can tell you that negotiations in Africa are progressing very well. As you know, Portugal and Turkey will also return to the calendar next year, so those are another two countries that will once again host a Grand Prix,” Stefano Domenicali continued.
“We also have ongoing discussions in South America and the Far East. I can add one thing: we continue to receive requests from China to host additional Grands Prix, and the same applies to Japan.”
However, Formula 1 does not currently intend to add a second race in either market. “At the moment, we want to maintain only one race. We believe it is important to consolidate those markets further before considering adding a second event to the calendar.”
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