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F1 Chief Says Season Finale Could Shift to Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi Races Are Affected by War

Stefano Domenicali said Formula One has options if Middle East races are disrupted, with Bahrain already rescheduled in Malaysia.

  • On Wednesday, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali announced the 2026 season could conclude in Europe if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are canceled due to the ongoing Middle East conflict.
  • The ongoing US-Iran war forced the cancellation of scheduled rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April, prompting F1 to secure the Sepang circuit in Malaysia as an alternative venue.
  • A 'middle of September' deadline for the final decision has been set, with Imola, Turkey, Portugal, and Hockenheim in Germany identified as potential European venues for the season's conclusion.
  • Although the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are currently sold out, Domenicali confirmed the sport maintains contingency plans should the regional situation deteriorate further.
  • For 2027, the sport intends to maintain a 24-race calendar, with ongoing negotiations for new host countries in Africa, Asia, and South America progressing positively.
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Anadolu AjansıAnadolu Ajansı
Lean Right

F1 season to end in Europe if Qatar, Abu Dhabi races cannot proceed

Formula 1 will wait until September before deciding whether to change final rounds of 2026 calendar, says F1 president Stefano Domenicali

·Ankara, Türkiye
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Journal Gazette & Times-CourierJournal Gazette & Times-Courier
Center

F1 opts against second Vegas race if Qatar, Saudi Arabia are moved

Formula One will not double down on Las Vegas should it need to change the race schedule at the end of the season due to the ongoing war in Iran.

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n-tvn-tv
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Season Finale in Europe?: Formula 1 Boss Makes "Medium-Term" Hope for Germany Comeback

Does Formula 1 return to Germany? F1-Boss Domenicali has some hope, but not for the near future. For the 2026 season finale, the racing series has a plan if the Iran war continues.

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ObservadorObservador
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F1 Decides in September the Destination of the Last Races: Qatar and Abu Dhabi at Risk, Europe as Plan B

Domenicali confirmed that if the situation in the Middle East does not improve until mid-September, the last races of the time will be held in Europe. Imola emerges as a favorite.

·Lisboa, Portugal
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Dnevni list DanasDnevni list Danas
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The War in the Middle East Could Bring Changes to the End of the Formula 1 Season

Formula 1 director Stefano Domenicali stated that the 2026 championship will end in Europe if, due to the conflict in the Middle East, it is not possible to hold the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

·Belgrade, Serbia
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EuronewsEuronews
Center

F1 keeps Qatar and Abu Dhabi races on calendar for now

The world's top racing competition said the final two races of the 2026 season remain on track, but a mid-September review will determine whether the championship concludes in Europe instead.

·Lyon, France
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El Economista broke the news in Mexico City, Mexico on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
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