The 2026 Formula 1 season is coming to an end, but there has been real uncertainty about whether the championship could end in the Middle East as planned.
The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix are scheduled as the final two rounds of the season, with the races taking place on November 29 and December 6 respectively.
Ruben Amorim gears up for his first Manchester United raid
The uncertainty surrounding Abu Dhabi was not due to an issue with the race itself, but the wider security situation in the Middle East. That situation had already forced Formula 1 to reconsider parts of its calendar earlier this year, as the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix could not take place as originally scheduled.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was not reinstated, while the Bahrain Grand Prix was moved and relocated to the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, instead of the originally planned venue, the Bahrain International Circuit.
The ever-increasing tensions in the Middle East have raised questions about whether the races should be kept in a political flashpoint, especially as the season builds towards its climax with the last few races.
One potential option involved moving the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to Imola in Italy, meaning the UAE’s Yas Marina Circuit wasn’t completely guaranteed to host the season finale.
With the championship final fast approaching, Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali has now given a definitive answer.
Timeline of key events
- March 2026 – F1 cancelled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grand Prix due to conflict in the Middle East.
- July 2026 – Malaysia’s Sepang circuit confirmed to host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix.
- Autumn 2026 – Imola emerged as F1’s backup replacement for the Abu Dhabi season finale.
- September 2026 – Hamilton and Verstappen split over Middle East races during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
- October 2026 – Verstappen won the rain-soaked Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang in Malaysia.
F1’s final decision on Abu Dhabi and Qatar
In an interview with French broadcaster Canal+ on Saturday, Domenicali said, “Based on the information we have, everything has been confirmed for Qatar and Abu Dhabi.”
To Sky Sport Italia, the F1 boss “confirmed the calendar for the last two Grand Prix” this year – Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.
He went on to insist that “everything was fine” and that “teams and drivers were kept informed of the situation.” He added that 99 percent of tickets had been sold in Abu Dhabi and that the end of the season generated “great excitement.”
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen disagree on Middle East race
Domenicali is not alone in wanting the 2026 season to end in the Middle East. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton stated during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix: “Personally, I want to go there. I love going to the Middle East.”
However, that does not mean that there has not been resistance.
Formula 1 Calendar 2026
Max Verstappen, who secured victory in Malaysia on Sunday, said last week that he would prefer the season not to end in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
“Normally I’m happy to go to Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but you know, when there’s a war nearby and if any of the countries are in conflict with each other, I don’t think we should go. Then it doesn’t matter if you have a contract or not, I think. But it’s not up to me.”
For F1 fans, drivers and executives, the future now looks significantly clearer. After having to prepare for the possibility of abandoning its planned Middle East finale, Formula 1’s latest confirmation means that the 2026 season will end as scheduled on December 6, with Abu Dhabi serving as the final backdrop for another year of racing.
F7: Deep sleep and REM sleep associated with lower risk of 83 diseases
