Here’s the scoop: The deadline for Imola to host the 2026 F1 season finale has been announced!
With the 2026 F1 season’s end still uncertain, there’s now a new date for an important backup plan.
The ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East have put the final races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi at risk. Just yesterday, Williams team boss James Vowles said F1 and the FIA have an “A plan, B plan, and C plan” ready for the season finale.
Now, a paddock insider has shared when the decision about changing the location needs to happen. With the situation still tense, it looks like traveling to Qatar and Abu Dhabi might not be possible this year. Some think the season could finish in a different place or maybe even end early in Las Vegas, which was supposed to be one of the last races in late November.
In September, several F1 leaders, including Audi’s Mattia Binotto and Haas’s Ayao Komatsu, suggested that the Italian Imola track could replace Abu Dhabi if needed. Veteran Formula 1 journalist Adam Cooper revealed that the final decision on switching to a European circuit like Imola must be made by November 10.
Imola is a classic track that has appeared on the calendar several times since the 1980s.
When asked about the season ending in the Middle East, Williams boss James Vowles said teams were staying in close contact with F1 and the FIA. “F1 and the FIA have been great at keeping us updated, and they really have backup plans ready,” Vowles said. “This isn’t a decision they take lightly, and we trust their detailed work behind everything.”
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies supported this view, saying, “We fully trust the FIA and F1 to handle this carefully. It’s a serious issue, and they always have the best info to guide the teams. We rely on them to make the right call, and history shows they usually do.”
On the other hand, some drivers like Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen have spoken out against racing in the region. Sainz said, “It’s hard to feel good about going there right now because so much is still happening in the Middle East.” After that, his team asked him to make a more neutral statement.
Verstappen agreed with Sainz’s original opinion. “Normally, I’m happy to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, but with conflict so close, it feels like it’s best not to go.”