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Formula 1 to finish season in Middle East

Max Verstappen won the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [Getty Images] Formula 1 has told the Imola circuit in Italy that it will not be required as a back-up for the two end-of-season races in the Middle East.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 3 sources•1 min read•Updated November 10, 2026, 3:08 PM UTC
Key points
  • The 2026 Formula 1 season will conclude with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix as planned, with Italy's Imola circuit stood down as back-up for the races.
  • Despite the decision, a number of senior figures in F1 have expressed disquiet to BBC Sport about the idea of going to the Middle East for the races, as both are close to areas in the Straight of Hormuz where missile strikes are still taking place.
  • Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Grands Prix to be cancelled How sporting events are being affected by Middle East conflict Listen to Chequered Flag on BBC Sounds Watch the Chequered Flag on BBC iPlayer.

Formula 1 chiefs are proceeding with plans to hold the final two rounds of 2026 in the Middle East after a deadline to move one of the season-ending races to Italy passed.

Additional details
  • Imola was asked on Tuesday to stand down preparations - but F1 says that if the situation in the Middle East deteriorates it is still prepared to cancel the two races.
  • Earlier in the season, races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, both of which had been scheduled for April, were cancelled and delayed respectively following the outbreak of the United States and Israel's war with Iran.
  • Travel advice from governments still allows travel, insurance is valid, events are taking place and business has returned to a normal level in both countries, it said, adding that the teams are all supportive of concluding the season as planned.
  • Imola had been asked to prepare for a potential grand prix on the Abu Dhabi dates if the two Middle Eastern races could not go ahead.
  • The sport is pressing ahead with plans to hold the two events in Qatar on 27-29 November and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on 4-6 December, despite the ongoing conflict between the United States/Israel and Iran.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Every article behind this summary — 3 articles from 3 outlets

Yahoo SportsNovember 10, 2026, 3:08 PM UTC → BBC NewsNovember 10, 2026, 3:04 PM UTC → Sky SportsNovember 10, 2026, 2:00 PM UTC →

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