F1 retains Qatar and Abu Dhabi finale as Imola backup is stood down

Formula 1 is continuing with plans to end its 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi after telling Imola to halt preparations for a possible replacement race, BBC Sport reported on Tuesday. The decision keeps the two Middle Eastern rounds on the calendar, although F1 has not ruled out cancelling them if regional security conditions worsen.

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Qatar is scheduled to host its grand prix on 27-29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on 4-6 December. According to BBC Sport's Andrew Benson, Imola had been asked to prepare to stage a race on the Abu Dhabi weekend if the two events could not take place. The Italian circuit was told on Tuesday that its contingency preparations were no longer required.

F1 said its assessment reflected conditions in Qatar and the UAE, which it said had not deteriorated in recent months. It pointed to government advice allowing travel, valid insurance, the continuation of events and a return to normal business activity. The organisation also said all teams supported completing the season at the planned venues. Qatar hosted a MotoGP race the previous weekend.

The calendar decision nevertheless remains conditional. An F1 spokesperson told the BBC that safety would take priority if the situation worsened before the races, and the sport remained prepared to cancel both events. The ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran has already disrupted the championship: Saudi Arabia's April race was cancelled, while Bahrain's event was postponed and eventually held at Malaysia's Sepang circuit in October.

BBC Sport also reported unease among several senior F1 figures about travelling to the region. Their concerns included the proximity of the races to areas around the Strait of Hormuz where missile strikes were continuing. Saudi Arabia, which borders both host countries, has faced further attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen, with several events there cancelled or postponed in recent weeks.

The report highlighted the hosts' wider connections to Formula 1 alongside the security debate. Both pay substantial hosting fees and are involved in the sport through sponsorship and investment. Qatar's sovereign investment fund holds a stake in Audi's team, while Abu Dhabi has an ownership interest in McLaren. For now, the scheduled venues remain in place, subject to F1's continuing safety assessment.