F1 chief confirms Qatar and Abu Dhabi for 2026 calendar
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that the 2026 championship will conclude in the Middle East as originally planned, with both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix officially remaining on the calendar.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Domenicali addressed ongoing speculation surrounding the final races of the season. The regional security situation involving Iran had previously cast severe doubt over whether the sport would travel to the Gulf for its traditional double-header finale.
«With the information and assurances we have, this remains the direction that leads us to confirm Qatar and Abu Dhabi as the concluding stages of this World Championship,» Domenicali said. «This is the strategy we will have to apply until the end of the year.»
The confirmation arrives after a turbulent spring for the sport’s schedulers. In April, Formula 1 was forced to make major revisions to its itinerary, cancelling both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the escalating conflict in the region.
To compensate for the lost fixtures, the series organised a replacement event in Malaysia, effectively transforming the Sepang weekend into a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix with the cooperation of local authorities.
Reassurances amid driver concerns
Despite the successful relocation of earlier rounds, the prospect of returning to the Middle East for the title deciders remained a significant talking point in the paddock. World champion Max Verstappen alongside several other key figures had publicly raised concerns about the viability and safety of racing in the region while geopolitical tensions remained unresolved.
Formula 1 executives have spent recent weeks liaising with local promoters and international security advisors to assess the risk profile of both events. Domenicali’s latest comments indicate that the sport’s governing body is now satisfied with the safety guarantees provided by the respective host nations.
Consequently, the paddock will follow its original logistical plan following the Americas triple-header. The season will culminate under the floodlights, bringing an end to a demanding year defined as much by its off-track calendar reshuffles as its on-track competition.
