Formula 1 confirms 2026 season finale in Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite Middle East conflict

Gulf finale confirmed

Formula 1 will conclude its 2026 championship with consecutive races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, sticking to its original schedule despite military conflict across the Persian Gulf region. Speaking from the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, Stefano Domenicali, the chief executive and president of Formula 1, confirmed to Sky Sports Italia that rounds 22 and 23 remain locked in for the Lusail International Circuit from 27 to 29 November and the Yas Marina Circuit from 4 to 6 December. The championship evaluated alternate venues during months of regional uncertainty, but management determined that the season will finish in the Middle East following consultations with local authorities, race promoters, and security specialists.

Domenicali explained that the decision rests on safety guarantees provided to Formula 1 leadership.

Yes, as we have already said, the calendar is confirmed: the last two Grands Prix will be in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

He stated that this direction reflects all available intelligence and confirmed that the strategy will remain in place through the end of the year.

Disruptions across the 2026 calendar

Hostilities involving Iran, Israel, and the United States caused adjustments to the 2026 motorsport calendar earlier in the year. In April, military activity compromised regional airspace and created freight transport bottlenecks, forcing the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix and the outright cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Bahrain race was rescheduled for 4 October at the Sepang International Circuit, running under the official designation of the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia.

To mitigate the risk of late cancellations, Formula 1 designated the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, as an official reserve option for the 6 December season finale. Italian venue operators began physical preparations, including erecting temporary grandstands around the circuit, to ensure readiness on short notice. Domenicali clarified that the Imola plan is on standby, emphasizing that holding the races in the Gulf remains the primary objective.

Driver opposition and broader motorsport impact

The confirmation to race in the Gulf proceeds despite skepticism from competitors. Drivers including Max Verstappen, who qualified on pole position at Sepang for the relocated Bahrain race, expressed opposition to staging events within 600 kilometers of the active conflict zone. Series leadership opted not to alter the calendar in response to those driver objections.

Security concerns have also forced adjustments across other international motorsport events in the region. MotoGP delayed its Qatar round from April to later in the season. The Amaury Sport Organisation modified its planned route for the 2027 Dakar Rally, scheduled to take place across Saudi Arabia from 1 to 15 January. To avoid proximity to the southern border and threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen, the rally will run entirely north of the capital city of Riyadh. Organizers also prepared a contingency route in Morocco, a plan favoured by competing teams that would delay the start by one week and reduce the competition from 14 days to 8 days.