F1 stands down Imola contingency and keeps Qatar-Abu Dhabi finale

Formula 1 has stood down Imola as a contingency venue and plans to finish the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The two Middle East races remain on the calendar despite uncertainty caused by regional conflict.

Teams have also been informed that Imola will not be needed. Motorsport Week reports that the Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for 27–29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi on 4–6 December.

RacingNews365 reports that F1 had set a November 10 deadline to release Imola from standby and commit freight logistics to the Middle East finale.

F1 said no recent developments in Qatar or Abu Dhabi warranted changing its plans. “If the situation develops negatively in the coming weeks before the events in the Middle East, we will not hesitate to do the right thing, and the safety of everyone will always be the priority,” a Formula 1 spokesperson said.

“Imola was only an option in the event we made a decision not to go to the Middle East at the end of the season and would have taken place on the Abu Dhabi weekend,” an F1 spokesperson said.

F1 thanked the Imola promoter and regional government for their support during the standby period. RacingNews365 reports that F1 funded preliminary assembly of temporary grandstands so spectator capacity could be expanded quickly if required.

“We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said. PlanetF1 reports that all 11 teams support concluding the season as planned.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said travel concerns had not been raised internally to his knowledge, but he would respect anyone uncomfortable travelling. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said: “Me, personally, I want to race. It doesn't matter where, but I want to race. Now, I will go where they will tell us to go.”

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled, while the Bahrain round was relocated to Sepang in Malaysia. Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi form the planned season-ending triple-header.