Formula 1 considering ending season in Europe if condition in Middle East don’t improve

Formula 1 is preparing contingency plans that could see the 2026 season end in Europe if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix cannot go ahead because of ongoing instability in the Middle East.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that a final decision on the season-ending races will be made by the middle of September. 

If the events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are unable to proceed, the championship will not move elsewhere outside Europe at such a late stage of the year. Instead, a European venue would be drafted in to close the season.

The uncertainty follows earlier disruptions to the calendar. 

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled earlier this season because of the regional conflict, forcing the franchise to revise its original schedule and explore replacement options. 

The championship currently stands at 22 races instead of the 24 originally planned for 2026.

While Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain on the calendar for November and December, Formula 1 has been developing alternatives in case circumstances do not improve. 

Imola has emerged as one of the leading candidates to host a replacement event, while Portugal’s Portimao circuit has also been linked with contingency plans.

Domenicali stressed that Formula 1’s priority remains completing the season as scheduled, but he also made clear that organisers have a responsibility to prepare for different scenarios. 

The governing body wants to avoid a late scramble that would affect teams, promoters, broadcasters and logistics operations across the paddock.

A European finale would give the championship a very different look from the one originally planned. 

Under the published 2026 calendar, the season is scheduled to conclude with races at Lusail in Qatar on November 27-29 and Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi on December 4-6.

Any switch would also mark the second major calendar adjustment caused by the same geopolitical crisis. 

Formula 1 has already spent much of the year adapting to cancelled races and examining opportunities to recover lost events elsewhere on the schedule.