F1 to decide on Qatar, Abu Dhabi races after mid-September

Formula 1 will wait until after mid-September to decide whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix can safely remain on the 2026 calendar amid continuing instability in the Middle East, CEO Stefano Domenicali said.

Domenicali said Formula 1 was coordinating with other major motorsport championships and monitoring their decisions on events in the region, Caliber.Az reports via sports media.

"We are in contact with all the other championships," he said. "For example, the WEC World Endurance Championship has announced that it will not go to the Middle East at the end of the season and will stay in Europe."

Domenicali stressed that Formula 1 had not yet made a similar decision.

"Our position is to take as much time as possible to assess how the situation develops and make a decision at the appropriate time," said the Italian. "That decision will be made sometime after mid-September."

The Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain on the calendar and are already sold out. However, Domenicali said the season would finish in Europe if the Middle East races could not safely take place.

"If the original plan becomes impossible, we will end the season in Europe because we cannot go to other regions."

"So the final race will be held in Europe. We are considering several options, but it is not appropriate to promise or predict anything at this time."

Imola has been mentioned as a possible alternative, although Domenicali said no agreement had been reached.

Formula 1 cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix in March because of the regional security situation. The races had been scheduled for April, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was later replaced by a race in Malaysia.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27–29, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 4–6. They are currently set to be the final two races of the 2026 season.

By Sabina Mammadli