Sports · Motorsport · 42 mins ago
F1 drops Imola as backup for 2026 season finale
Formula 1 has dropped Imola as a backup venue for its 2026 season finale.
The championship plans to end with races in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Safety concerns linked to tensions in the Middle East had put those races in doubt.
F1 had prepared Imola as an alternative in case the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events had to be cancelled, and agreed to cover early preparation costs.
The decision means F1 is sticking with its original plan for the season to finish in the Middle East.
It does not guarantee those races will go ahead, as F1 and the FIA continue to assess the risks.
If assessments show an unnecessary safety risk, F1 says it will cancel the events.
Formula 1 has stood down Imola as a back-up venue for the 2026 season finale.
The sport plans to hold the final two races in Qatar on 27-29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4-6 December.
F1 says it will still cancel the races if the security situation in the Middle East worsens.
Imola had been preparing as an alternative in case the races could not go ahead.
Earlier in the season, F1’s Saudi Arabian race was cancelled and its Bahrain race was postponed and held in Malaysia.
- Who
- Formula 1 and the Imola circuit. F1 told Imola it would not be needed as a back-up venue.
- What
- Imola has been stood down as a potential venue for the 2026 season finale. F1 plans to finish the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- When
- F1 informed Imola on 10 November 2026. The planned races are in Qatar on 27-29 November and Abu Dhabi on 4-6 December.
- Where
- Imola, Italy, was the proposed alternative; the planned finale is in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- F1 says it is proceeding with its original plan because the situation in Qatar and Abu Dhabi has not negatively developed. It says safety will remain the priority if conditions change.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, starting the conflict described in the articles.
F1’s scheduled races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were disrupted; the Saudi Arabian race was cancelled and Bahrain’s was postponed.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, according to BBC Sport.
F1 informed Imola that it would not be needed as a back-up for the season finale.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to take place.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is scheduled to take place.
- Imola’s status
- Stood down as a back-up venue for the 2026 finale
- Qatar Grand Prix
- Scheduled for 27-29 November 2026
- Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
- Scheduled for 4-6 December 2026
- F1 decision date
- 10 November 2026
- Earlier Bahrain race
- Held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit in October, according to BBC Sport
6 sources
Formula 1 to finish season in Middle East
F1 2026 calendar update: Imola off the table, no plan B if Iran war escalates
F1 2026 calendar update: Imola GP off the table, no plan B if war escalates
F1 stands Imola down - what it means for 2026 and '27 calendars
F1 planning to finish season in Middle East as Imola deadline passes
F1 season set to finish in Middle East as Imola backup plan ruled out
What people are saying
If the situation develops negatively in the coming weeks before the events in the Middle East, we will not hesitate to do the right thing and the safety of everyone will always be the priority.
I trust them to take the best decision for all of us,
I trust them to take the best decision for all of us,