Sports · Motorsport · 3 hrs ago
F1 faces next-week deadline on Imola backup for uncertain Middle East races
Formula 1 is weighing whether to hold its final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi amid uncertainty over tensions in the Middle East.
The 2026 calendar currently ends with races in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Imola in Italy is on standby to host a race on December 6 if the two Middle East events are cancelled.
Teams expect a decision next week, with Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu saying Imola needs an answer by November 10, though F1 sources say the date could be extended.
The uncertainty affects teams and staff, including workers whose families have raised questions about travel to the region.
F1 says it is monitoring conditions and remains in contact with governments, while Aston Martin’s Mike Krack said he expects the sport to avoid unnecessary risks.
Without Imola, cancelling both races could leave F1 with 21 events, below the 22-race minimum in its commercial agreement with teams.
Formula 1 is expected to decide by the end of next week whether Imola will remain ready to host a replacement race.
The circuit is on standby to host a race on December 6 if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events are cancelled amid Middle East tensions.
Haas team principal Aayo Komatsu said Imola needed to be told by Tuesday, November 10, though F1 sources said extensions were possible.
F1 says it still intends to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and is monitoring the situation with governments in both countries.
Aston Martin’s Mike Krack said he expected F1 and the FIA to take the correct action if there were a serious risk.
- Who
- Formula 1 must decide whether to keep Imola as a backup venue. The decision affects the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races and the teams.
- What
- F1 faces a deadline to tell Imola whether it may need to host a replacement race.
- When
- The decision is expected next week, likely by the end of the week. Komatsu said Imola needed to be told by November 10.
- Where
- Imola, Italy; the uncertain races are in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- Why
- Hostilities and tensions in the Middle East have raised uncertainty about whether the final two races can go ahead.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Mike Krack said F1 was still evaluating the Middle East situation and that he expected it to take the correct action if there were a serious risk.
Komatsu said Imola needed to be told by November 10 whether F1 would race there.
F1 is expected to inform Imola whether it should continue preparing to host a race.
Imola is on standby to host a race if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events are cancelled.
- Backup venue
- Imola, Italy
- Potential Imola race date
- December 6, 2026
- Expected decision window
- By the end of the week after November 6
- Uncertain races
- Qatar and Abu Dhabi
- Current season finale schedule
- Las Vegas on November 21, Qatar on November 29, and Abu Dhabi on December 6
3 sources
What people are saying
I understand Tuesday [Nov. 10] Imola needs be told if we go to Imola or not
But I would be really surprised if they take risks.
I think at the moment they are still evaluating that situation, and I’m sure they have set themselves some deadlines, which we’re not over yet.