As FormulaUno.it reports, a crucial day has arrived for the 2026 Formula 1 world championship calendar as Liberty Media communicates its definitive decision to the Imola circuit, which had been placed on standby as a potential venue for the final grand prix of the year. The contingency plan was drawn up in case the scheduled double-header in the Middle East between late November and early December had to be cancelled. Stepping into this exact situation, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem took to his social media profiles to make it clear that preparations for the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are pressing ahead at full speed, effectively locking in the original calendar.
Through a message published by President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA firmly reiterated its intention to finish the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship in the Middle East just as planned. This seals the final triple-header that will see the paddock move from Las Vegas to Lusail and finally to Yas Marina.
"The countdown for Qatar and Abu Dhabi has begun," Ben Sulayem stated. "We are completely focused on ensuring two exceptional Grand Prix weekends. We are working closely with our partners to make sure that everything is ready and in place for our drivers, teams, and fans. We look forward to welcoming everyone for two exciting weekends of racing and an unforgettable finale to the Formula 1 season."
This reassurance from the governing body arrives on the heels of a complicated year for calendar management. Tensions between the United States and Iran that erupted in March had already forced organizers to postpone and then shift the Bahrain race to Malaysia in October, alongside the outright cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. To protect against any eventuality, Formula 1 kept the Imola circuit on pre-alert as an alternative venue for early December just in case security conditions deteriorated further.
Providing a boost of confidence to Formula 1, the MotoGP world championship recently held its Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail over the past weekend without major issues on the ground. However, that MotoGP round—also owned by Liberty Media—did see certain defections and precautionary countermeasures from industry participants. Yamaha chose to withdraw its teams from the event due to staff security concerns, while several international television broadcasters opted to cover the races directly from their home headquarters rather than sending crews on-site.
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