According to Motorsport.com Italia, recent Houthi missile attacks in Saudi Arabia have thrown a shadow of instability over the Middle East, raising fresh questions about the upcoming grands prix in the region for both Formula 1 and MotoGP. Despite the tensions, the upcoming races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain confirmed by their respective organizers, who insist the events will proceed without risk. Yet, despite previous reassurances given at Sepang by Stefano Domenicali regarding the 2026 calendar, the situation on the ground remains tense following targeted strikes on Saudi infrastructure.
The unrest stems from actions claimed by Houthi militants originating from northern Yemen. Ansar Allah, the military spokesperson for the Shia rebels, announced via al Masirah television that strikes hit the Aramco headquarters in Dhahran, the King Khalid International Airport, and an Aramco refinery in Riyadh. The true extent of the damage remains murky due to Saudi minimization, but the regional instability has prompted ITA Airways to postpone its flights to Riyadh until October 18 and to Dubai until October 30. Naturally, this carries significant weight given that Aramco serves as a primary sponsor and partner for the Aston Martin team, alongside being a massive global oil producer.
While the Formula 1 events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently scheduled to run, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola has been put on pre-alert by the FOM. There is a tangible possibility that a Grand Prix of Made in Italy and Emilia-Romagna could take place on December 6 as an alternative finale to Abu Dhabi. Under the discussions, Formula 1 would guarantee coverage of organizational expenses even if the second Italian race ultimately does not happen. Initially, the prospective finale might have been named the Qatar Airways and Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, though it is now more likely that ACI Italia, through the commitment of president Geronimo La Russa, could once again involve the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. The political landscape is expected to remain frozen while awaiting the outcome of Israeli elections on October 27 and US mid-term elections on November 3.
Amidst this backdrop of calendar uncertainty, Andrea Kimi Antonelli could mathematically secure the world drivers' championship title, which might dilute some competitive suspense for the season finale, though a championship celebration at Imola would crown a stellar campaign. However, the immediate pressure falls heavily on MotoGP, which faces a tighter timeline with a scheduled visit to Lusail on November 8 for the Qatar Grand Prix, the third-to-last round of the season. Riders have already expressed their reluctance to travel to Doha, and certain manufacturers are weighing insurance bans that could block participation and even overflights of high-risk airspace.
A frustrating deadlock has gripped the paddock, with various parties hesitating to make the first move out of fear of contractual penalties. Because both championships fall under the control of Liberty Media, many anticipate that MotoGP—carrying a lower economic footprint than Formula 1—might be the series that forces a definitive resolution to the current stalemate.
