F1 has three choices for the season finale as the championship deals with a Middle East crisis
The end of the 2026 F1 season is still a bit uncertain, and many people close to the sport aren’t sure how the championship will wrap up. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East means the last two races, planned for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, are looking unsure.
Right now, the series seems to have three main ways to finish the season. Here’s a quick look at each option:
**Option 1: Stick to the schedule and race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi**
F1 and the FIA are still saying that the Qatar GP (November 27-29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4-6) will be the final races this year. But recent attacks near Saudi Arabian airports have put flights to Qatar and Saudi Arabia at risk. Despite this, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says, “The two races are going to happen.” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed this too at the Bahrain GP, saying the calendar is set and they are going ahead based on the information they have. However, F1 has also said these races could still change if needed.
Some drivers, like Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen, have expressed worries about racing in the region now. But their teams are trusting F1 and the FIA to make the right call. Red Bull’s Laurent Mekies said they trust the governing bodies to handle the situation properly. Still, many people in the paddock feel uneasy about traveling to the Middle East.
This feeling is shared in other sports too. MotoGP is racing in Qatar soon, but one of its top teams, Yamaha, pulled out over safety concerns. The World Rally Championship canceled its Saudi Arabia round, and the Dakar Rally moved from Saudi Arabia to North Africa.
With news that the US and Israeli forces may take action in Iran soon, tensions won’t be calming down anytime soon. The Lusail circuit in Qatar even sent safety instructions to MotoGP staff and media about what to do in case of an attack.
If F1 cancels these Middle East races, it could lose between $100 million and $180 million in hosting fees.
**Option 2: Host a race at Imola instead of Qatar and Abu Dhabi**
If F1 decides not to race in the Middle East this year, the plan would be to replace those races with one event at Imola in Italy. Imola is a popular and classic track that returned to the calendar after COVID but was then dropped again after 2025.
There are two ideas here: either cancel both Middle East races and hold one race at Imola, or race in Qatar and then move to Imola for the final event. Audi F1 boss Mattia Binotto said a decision on this would come by mid-October, but it might be pushed back to November 10.
**Option 3: Finish the season early in Las Vegas**
Another possibility is to end the season sooner, with the last race in Las Vegas. Since the drivers’ championship is already decided and Mercedes is almost certain to win the constructors’ title, there’s less pressure to keep the full schedule. Ending in Las Vegas would still be a big, exciting way to close the season.
So, while there’s no clear answer yet, these are the main ideas being discussed to wrap up the 2026 F1 season. Fans will be watching closely to see what happens next!