As Motorsport.com Deutschland reports, the 2026 Formula 1 season will officially conclude in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as planned, provided there is no dramatic escalation of the Iran war in the coming weeks. The Middle East conflict, which began in late February when the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, has destabilized the region and impacted numerous racing series calendars. Formula 1 already saw the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix cancelled, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed and ultimately held in Malaysia.
With the championship closely monitoring the situation, Imola had been lined up as an alternative season finale for the first weekend of December in case Qatar and Abu Dhabi could not host their events. However, the MotoGP race in Doha was held without major issues over the past weekend—though both Yamaha teams withdrew from the competition due to the geopolitical climate. November 10 served as Formula 1's deadline to give Imola a definitive answer on whether the Italian track needed to prepare for a grand prix within the next three weeks. That will now not be the case.
The 2026 season will therefore end with the planned triple-header in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, as travel insurance and government travel advice currently permit it. There is a catch, however, as Formula 1 recognizes it cannot guarantee the situation will remain stable by early December and emphasizes that safety will come first should the conflict escalate. Should the two Middle East events require late cancellation, the grand prix in Las Vegas would likely serve as the final race of the season.
Team principals have maintained a firm stance, placing their trust in Formula 1 and the FIA to make the correct calls. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur stated in Mexico that he trusts them to make the best decision for everyone, adding that he personally wants to race anywhere they are told to go. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff elaborated during a press conference on Friday in Brazil, noting that Formula 1 follows international guidelines, travel restrictions, airline operations, regional warnings, and feedback from local and promoter governments.
Wolff also addressed drivers speaking out on geopolitical matters without specialized knowledge, pointing out that everyone can make their own personal decision if they feel uncomfortable traveling. Should someone feel uneasy making the trip, Wolff noted it would change nothing about their relationship and might even offer an opportunity to someone else.
F1
F1
