F1 to Proceed with Qatar and Abu Dhabi Season Finale Despite Middle East Conflict
Formula 1 will conclude its season in the Middle East after telling the Imola circuit in Italy that its services as a backup venue are no longer required.
The sport plans to hold its final two races in Qatar from November 27 to 29 and in Abu Dhabi from December 4 to 6, according to BBC Sport. These plans remain in place despite the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Imola had been asked to prepare for a potential grand prix on the Abu Dhabi dates if the Middle Eastern rounds could not proceed. On Tuesday, circuit organizers were told to stand down their preparations, as reported by BBC Sport. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali previously mentioned Imola in July as a contingency plan.
F1 maintains that it is still prepared to cancel the two final races if the situation in the region deteriorates. Earlier in the year, conflict led to the cancellation of the race in Saudi Arabia and the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which was later run at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit in October.
“If the situation develops negatively in the coming weeks before the events in the Middle East, we will not hesitate to do the right thing and the safety of everyone will always be the priority,” an F1 spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The decision to proceed with Qatar and Abu Dhabi stems from assessments that conditions in both countries have not worsened in recent months. Government travel advice continues to permit travel, insurance remains valid, local events are occurring, and business operations have normalized. Teams are fully supportive of finishing the campaign as scheduled.
Additional sporting events have taken place in the region recently. A MotoGP race ran in Qatar the previous weekend, sharing ownership under the same United States group that owns F1. In Saudi Arabia, events included a boxing match between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli on October 31 and the WWE Crown Jewel event, according to Front Office Sports.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi Invest Heavily in F1
The commitment to the region is reinforced by deep commercial integration. Qatar and Abu Dhabi pay large hosting fees and invest heavily in the sport. For instance, the Qatari sovereign investment fund holds a partial ownership stake in the Audi team, while Abu Dhabi maintains a similar financial interest in McLaren.
Beyond the current season, F1 has already confirmed that its 2027 campaign will also launch in the region. The schedule will feature a 24-race calendar, beginning in Bahrain from March 12 to 14, followed by a race in Saudi Arabia the subsequent week.
Despite these assurances, several senior figures within F1 expressed unease to BBC Sport regarding proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, where missile strikes continue. Saudi Arabia also remains a target for attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen, prompting recent cancellations or postponements of several events in that country.
Three race weekends remain in the 2026 season, beginning with Las Vegas from November 19 to 21; the season will finish with 23 races after an originally announced schedule of 24. Kimi Antonelli secured the drivers’ championship in Mexico earlier this month, while Mercedes clinched the constructors’ title.
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