Domenicali Confirms September Deadline for Middle East Race Decision

Formula 1 is preparing fallback options for its season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with a final decision set for mid-September, according to the series’ President and CEO Stefano Domenicali. While the priority remains to hold the Grands Prix as originally scheduled, the sport will not compromise on safety if conditions in the region deteriorate.

Should the Middle Eastern events become unviable, European circuits stand ready to step in. Domenicali confirmed that multiple alternatives are being evaluated, though no specific venues were named. However, the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola – which lost its spot on the 2026 calendar – is widely regarded as a leading candidate to host a replacement race.

The contingency planning mirrors a broader reassessment of Gulf-region motorsport events. The World Endurance Championship (WEC) has already relocated its planned rounds in Qatar and Bahrain to Barcelona and Monza, underscoring the rising logistical and security concerns among international racing series.

What the Potential Calendar Shift Means for F1 and Hosts

Calendar Contingency Reflects Growing Regional Unease

The potential reshuffle is driven by security assessments, not commercial tensions. F1’s Middle Eastern triple-header – typically including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi – is a high-value segment of the calendar, backed by lucrative hosting fees and a narrative-heavy season finale. Moving those races would force renegotiation with promoters and disrupt the carefully crafted television product, but Domenicali’s comments signal that the sport’s leadership prioritizes operational certainty over contractual inertia.

Imola’s Window of Opportunity

Imola’s omission from the recently announced 2026 calendar makes it a logistically straightforward fallback. The circuit is popular with teams and fans, and a late-autumn European race would simplify freight and travel compared to a transcontinental round-trip. While other European venues could theoretically be drafted in, Imola’s readiness and historical ties to F1 give it a clear advantage in any late scramble.