F1 has set a deadline of mid-September to decide whether to hold the final race in the Middle East due to the war between the United States and Israel against Iran.
Published July 29, 2026
F1 will end its season in Europe if races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held, setting a deadline of mid-September, Liberty Media’s chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.
“We will take as much time as possible to see how the situation develops and will make a decision at the appropriate time,” Domenicali told reporters on Wednesday.
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Races scheduled for April in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have been canceled due to the US-Israel war against Iran, and will now be held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on October 4, with the Gulf kingdom paying most of the costs.
The FIA-sanctioned World Endurance Championship (WEC) has already moved its final two rounds in Qatar and Bahrain to Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya and Italy’s Monza in October and November.
“The deadline for a decision on a possible actual calendar change is mid-September,” Domenicali said.
“Today, for us, races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi have been decided. By the way, they are already sold out,” he added. “If that’s not possible, then the end of the season will be in Europe because we can’t go anywhere else.”
Qatar is scheduled to host F1 on November 29th, followed by Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on December 6th.
Imola confirmed on shortlist
Domenicali has confirmed that Italy’s Imola circuit, his birthplace and home to Ferrari and Mercedes F1 leader Kimi Antonelli, is on his list of possible successors.
Sources are touting Imola, which has been removed from the calendar this year, as a frontrunner despite the weather at this time of year.
Domenicali said temperatures in the US city of Las Vegas during the Saturday night race in November were lower than in Europe.
“We could have held two races in Las Vegas (to end the season), but we don’t want to mess up a growing gem,” he said, adding that there would also be more competition from the NFL’s regular season.
The 2027 calendar has yet to be announced, but before the conflict erupted it was expected Bahrain would take back the opening round slot from Australia in March.
The Italian said F1 plans to announce the schedule later this year.
“Of course, we have options, other plans, in case the situation in the Middle East is not resolved,” Domenicali said. “But of course the trigger is at the end of the year, so there’s still a lot of time.”
“In any case, we will maintain our goal of 24 Grand Prix wins next year.”
Domenicali said Portugal and Tolquier will return as new rounds on next year’s calendar. In the longer term, there were positive negotiations with potential hosts from Africa, as well as interest from Asia and South America.
“We have more requests in China and Japan, but for now we would like to stay with one race in China, as we need to consolidate the market before considering other options in China,” he added.
