Final Qatar, Abu Dhabi GP decision imminent in fresh F1 2026 update

Formula One Management (FOM) is poised to confirm that the F1 2026 season will not conclude in Imola, with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix to go ahead as scheduled.

Both Middle East-based races have long been at risk due to continuing conflict in the region with Imola prepared as a replacement if needed.

Formula 1 set to confirm Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs will go ahead

The F1 2026 calendar has undergone various changes this year. When conflict broke out in Iran and spread throughout the region, both the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain events were postponed due to concerns over safety.

Although Bahrain was able to be slotted back in last month through a deal to host the race in Malaysia, bringing back fan-favourite track Sepang, the Saudi Arabian round has fallen by the wayside.

While conflict has reduced in recent months, there remain concerns, highlighted by Yamaha’s decision to boycott the MotoGP round in Qatar last weekend.

Imola has been busy preparing to host the championship in early December had the Middle East been deemed unsafe to host F1.

However, the deadline for Imola to either press on or call time, with F1 paying for the preparations, is understood to be imminent.

The decision is understood not to be a judgement on the Middle East, as the plan was always to race in the region, but is instead a final call on whether the backup option is required.

It is believed that FOM could announce its decision to stand Imola down as soon as today.

While it remains true that there is still conflict in the region, the distance between the tracks and any fighting is so significant that the threat is minimal.

More from the Brazilian GP on PlanetF1.com

Lewis Hamilton issues final stance on Ferrari dispute after Brazil GP talks

Kimi Antonelli keeps a lid on Brazilian GP anger amid Mercedes title success

Drivers and teams were asked again about racing in the Middle East across the Brazilian weekend, with the majority voicing that they have faith in FOM and the FIA to take the correct decision, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem previously stating that he would take no risks where safety is concerned.

Vocal on the topic at Interlagos was Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, who said: “Stefano [Domenicali] and Mohammed have been pretty clear about the situation: Formula 1 follows the international guidelines,” he said.

“That is travel restrictions, airlines not flying, any warnings in the region, the kind of feedback that local governments are making, so not only the promoters, but what the local governments are making, and this is what you need to rely on in my opinion, and I’m fully with that.

“I think that if [MotoGP] riders stand up, that geopolitically knows nothing about what’s going on, but have the audience that listens, I think that is something that creates media value, but I would have done the same that MotoGP management has done.

“‘Do you want to ride or drive?’ If you don’t want to, don’t go.’  It is as simple as that, and everybody can make their personal decisions on that, and I respect that.

“Of course, you’ve got to be wary of what’s happening in the next few days and few weeks, and Stefano has his finger on the pulse to monitor that.

“If things were to get more dangerous, and we would get that feedback, then he’s going to be the first one, together with Mohammed, to protect the people who were meant to travel, and so that’s why I’m following their guidance on what I’m hearing.”

Additional reporting by Thomas Maher

Read next: ‘Chill’ – George Russell accused of FIA press conference ‘walkout’