The conflict in the Middle East continues with no clear end in sight. Despite occasional periods of calm, the situation remains highly unstable, and months of fighting have passed without any meaningful indication that a lasting resolution is close.
Formula 1 has already been forced to remove two events from its 2026 calendar: the Bahrain Grand Prix and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, both of which were originally scheduled for April. At one stage, the championship explored the possibility of rescheduling one or both races later in the year, but that option now appears increasingly unlikely.
Stefano Domenicali: “The season will not end in Las Vegas”
Given the ongoing instability in the region, there is growing concern that Formula 1 could also lose its final two Middle Eastern events of the season: the Qatar Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, both currently scheduled for December.
Speaking in an interview published by Marca, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali outlined the challenges facing the championship and explained how the sport is approaching the situation.
“Honestly, I think it is impossible to replace both races,” Stefano Domenicali said, referring to Bahrain and Jeddah. “Even trying to replace one of them is difficult. There are not many available weekends left on the calendar.”
Turning his attention to the season-ending events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Stefano Domenicali continued:
“Ticket sales are continuing and they are progressing well. However, our objective is to bring joy and provide entertainment. We need to race in places where that is possible. There will come a moment when we have to make decisions. It is not as simple as moving two football teams made up of 22 players. Our logistics are far more complex, with transportation costs and many other factors to consider.”
Domenicali also confirmed that Formula 1 is already preparing for every possible scenario.
“We will make a decision in the coming months. We already have a contingency plan, and I can confirm that. We have considered alternative solutions in case Qatar and Abu Dhabi are unable to host their events. I can assure you that Las Vegas will not be the last race on the calendar,” he concluded.
Possible alternatives for the 2026 season finale
While Stefano Domenicali did not reveal any specific replacement venues, his comments have inevitably sparked speculation regarding which circuits could step in if required.
Given that the affected races are scheduled for December, it seems unlikely that most European circuits would be suitable due to weather conditions. One of the few realistic European options could be Portimão in Portugal, where temperatures are generally milder during the winter months and where Formula 1 has raced successfully in recent years.
Another intriguing possibility is Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Sepang International Circuit remains highly regarded by drivers and fans alike and could provide ideal conditions for racing at that time of year. The Malaysian Grand Prix disappeared from the Formula 1 calendar after the 2017 season, and a return would undoubtedly generate considerable excitement throughout the paddock.
At this stage, however, these remain purely speculative scenarios. Formula 1 has not announced any preferred alternatives, and much will depend on how the geopolitical situation develops over the coming months.
For now, the championship continues to monitor events closely while preparing contingency measures behind the scenes. As Stefano Domenicali confirmed, the sport is determined to ensure that the 2026 season reaches its planned conclusion, even if significant adjustments to the calendar become necessary.
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