Formula One is preparing to move its 2026 season finale out of the Middle East if the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict does not improve. Stefano Domenicali, F1 president, stated that the final decision regarding the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will be made by mid-September. Although both events remain on the schedule and have sold out, the safety and stability concerns caused by the war are prompting contingency plans.

Earlier this year, conflict in the Middle East led to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, originally slated for the start of the season. While the Bahrain Grand Prix is returning in October at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, the Saudi Arabian race has yet to find a replacement venue. If the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races are also scrapped, the 2026 calendar would shrink to 21 races, which still meets F1’s commercial minimum requirements for the season.

Domenicali indicated a preference for relocating at least one Middle East race to Europe rather than adding more U.S. events. He mentioned Imola in Italy as a potential site for the finale, a circuit removed from the calendar to accommodate the new Madrid Grand Prix this year. The Las Vegas race remains the last stop before the Middle East doubleheader, and hosting consecutive races there is being considered but without expanding the U.S. presence further.

Looking ahead to 2027, the goal is to restore the full 24-race schedule. F1 is actively exploring expansion opportunities outside the Middle East, with interest from hosts in Africa, Asia, and South America. Domenicali emphasized measured growth in markets like China and Japan, citing the need to strengthen current footholds before adding more races, reflecting a cautious but optimistic approach to future calendar planning amid geopolitical uncertainty.