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Formula One will proceed with its final two races of the 2026 season in the Middle East despite the ongoing U.S.–Iran war in the region.
F1 has told organizers in Imola, Italy, that it will not be required as a backup for a season-ending race. F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said in July that Imola was a possible contingency plan if it had to cancel the final two races of the year in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
A source told Front Office Sports that the teams are in support of the season finishing in the Middle East, citing that there has been no negative development, particularly in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. The door also remains open to possible changes should there be any new developments in the region in the coming weeks.
There has been continued conflict in the Middle East due to the war, specifically in Saudi Arabia, where Houthi rebels have continued to attack, with an attempted missile strike reported as recently as Tuesday.
However, there have been multiple sporting events held in Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, including a fight between Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli on Oct. 31, and the WWE Crown Jewel premium live event Saturday. MotoGP also held a race in Qatar this past weekend.
The U.S. government has issued multiple security alerts warning travelers in the region, including in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
At the moment, three race weekends remain in the 2026 F1 season: Las Vegas (Nov. 19–21), Qatar (Nov. 27–29), and Abu Dhabi (Dec. 4–6). That would have F1 finish the season with 23 races after originally announcing 24. Races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain earlier this year were originally canceled, but the Bahrain race was moved to Malaysia in October.
There is little intrigue left as Kimi Antonelli secured the drivers’ championship in Mexico earlier this month, while his team, Mercedes, clinched the constructors’ title this past weekend.
F1 will also open its 2027 season in the Middle East, announcing in September that its 24-race schedule will open in Bahrain from March 12–14, then Saudi Arabia the following week.
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