Formula 1 has firmly locked in its path for the end of the 2026 world championship, choosing to finish the season in the Middle East or not run those events at all. As RaceFans reports, the series had previously set up contingency plans to move the final round to Imola in Italy if the risks surrounding the war in Iran forced a retreat from the Middle East. Multiple reports now confirm that F1 has informed Imola that its services will not be needed.
Now, the championship is heading to Las Vegas in the USA for next week's action. From there, the schedule points toward the Losail International Circuit in Qatar and Yas Marina in the United Arab Emirates on the following weekends. Earlier this year, grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the USA, though a substitute event using the 'Bahrain Grand Prix' title was later hosted at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit.
This year, we currently remain scheduled to complete our calendar season and at this stage, continue to plan to finish the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,
Uncertainty still looms over the geopolitical situation in the region. US president Donald Trump indicated this week that he would refrain from escalating his military campaign, but similar statements since the war began in February have frequently been followed by further strikes. Meanwhile, the US maintains a heavy military presence in the area, having deployed additional troops just last month.
Despite these tensions, Moto GP—which shares ownership with F1 under Liberty Media—pushed ahead with a race in Losail on Sunday, having previously postponed its Qatar round back in April. That return was not without friction, as Yamaha sat out with four bikes missing from the grid, and a large portion of the series' riders voiced security concerns while requesting extra guarantees. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff defended Moto GP's choice to compete in Qatar, launching a sharp critique against the uneasy riders by stating they “know nothing” about the situation. Alongside the rider unease, many television broadcasters chose to keep their staff away from the region entirely.
Looking further ahead, the 2027 F1 season is currently slated to open in the Middle East with March races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali addressed investors last week to reaffirm their commitment, stating, “the disruption we experienced in the Middle East this year does not change our long-term regional strategy and ongoing partnership with our promoters.”
“This year, we currently remain scheduled to complete our calendar season and at this stage, continue to plan to finish the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” Domenicali added. “We will continue to monitor the situation. As always, the safety and security of everyone in the sport will remain our first and foremost priority.”
Other motorsport categories have taken a much firmer stance against visiting the region. The World Endurance Championship scrapped its rounds in Qatar and Bahrain, swapping them for alternative venues in Italy and Spain. The Dakar Rally is shifting its 2027 edition from Saudi Arabia to Africa, while the 2026-27 Asian Le Mans series has abandoned the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina entirely to run in Europe under the banner of the 'Winter Le Mans Series'.
F1
F1
