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Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still set to host the final two races of the 2026 season, but organisers are preparing a European backup if the war in the Middle East disrupts those plans, the Formula 1 chief said on Tuesday.
Speaking to journalists after last weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said no decision would be made before the middle of September, giving organisers more time to assess the situation.
“For us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed,” Domenicali said.
“But of course, if the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision,” he added. “If this will not be possible, the end of the season would be in Europe.”
Europe on standby
Formula 1 has already revised its 2026 calendar after the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved to Malaysia following the outbreak of war in the region. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was also cancelled earlier this season.
For now, the schedule of the world’s top racing competition remains unchanged, with the Qatar Grand Prix set for 29 November and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 6 December. Any decision on replacing those races is expected in mid-September at the earliest.
Domenicali said F1 intends to wait as long as possible before deciding whether further changes are needed, adding that the championship remains committed to staging a full 24-race season.
He also said contingency plans are in place if the final rounds cannot be held in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Another Gulf race off the calendar
The comments came a day after the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) withdrew the Qatar 1812 KM from its 2026 calendar.
Organisers said the race at Lusail International Circuit would return in the future and reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Qatar.
Under the revised 2026 calendar, the championship’s planned rounds in Qatar and Bahrain have been replaced by races in Spain and Italy.