Formula One management has removed the Imola circuit from its contingency plans for the season finale, confirming the sport will maintain its scheduled events in the Middle East.
The Italian venue, located roughly 20 miles from Bologna, had been identified as a potential replacement for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix should regional security concerns necessitate a venue change, The Guardian reported.
The final two rounds of the 2026 season remain set for the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6. While the war in the region led to the cancellation of earlier rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, F1 officials have retained confidence in the current calendar. The Bahrain event was previously relocated to Malaysia in September as the situation stabilized.
Key stakeholders met on Tuesday to address logistics and potential risks for the upcoming races. Teams requested detailed assurances regarding contingency plans in the event of an escalation during the final weeks of the season. Despite these inquiries, teams have expressed consistent confidence in the governing body, the FIA, and have not indicated any refusal to travel to the scheduled host countries.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that preparations for the final races continue as planned. In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, he noted, “We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding Grands Prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the FIA Formula One World Championship.” He added that the organization is working with local partners to ensure the safety of drivers, teams, and fans.
While safety remains the primary concern for F1 leadership, the sport continues to monitor regional developments closely. Officials remain prepared to cancel or relocate events if conditions shift in the coming weeks.
The successful completion of the MotoGP race in Qatar last weekend served as a recent point of reference for international events in the region, despite reports of some rider resistance and the withdrawal of the Yamaha team from that specific event.
- Will the season finale move to a different country?
- No. Formula One has officially stood down its backup plan, and the final two races will proceed in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as originally scheduled.
- Why were the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races cancelled earlier this year?
- The rounds were cancelled due to the outbreak of war in the region. The Bahrain event was later successfully held in Malaysia in September.
- Are F1 teams refusing to travel to the Middle East?
- No. According to reports, teams have consistently signaled their confidence in the FIA’s safety assessments and have not expressed a desire to bypass the final rounds.
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