F1 chances increasing of Middle East season finish

F1 confidence is building with its plans to host the final two rounds of the 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, RacingNews365 understands.

Following the outbreak of the Iran war at the end of February earlier this year, major unrest was caused in the Middle East, which had direct consequences for the F1 calendar.

The Bahrain Grand Prix, which was poised to be held in April, eventually found itself rescheduled to the beginning of October; however, the event will be held at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.

While some other motorsport categories, including the World Endurance Championship and the World Rally Championship, cancelled their late-season events that were due to be held in the Middle East, F1 has opted not to follow suit, instead holding out for the possibility of continuing the events as planned.

It emerged as a contingency plan that F1 was exploring a race around the Imola Circuit to close out the season in early December.

But with the Qatar Grand Prix now two months out, the pressure is higher to commit to a plan.

Many airlines have been flying to the major cities in the region for some time, but no European airline, except those registered in Turkey, has been operating flights to the Middle East.

At the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid earlier this month, representatives from the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix were present for talks, which are likely to continue this weekend in Baku.

With the situation in both countries appearing to be calmer compared to recent months, F1 is moving closer toward carrying out its original plan to travel to the region.

The scheme to continue with the sport's original schedule and compete in Qatar and Abu Dhabi was supported by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton stated that he held “trust” in F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali that he would make the “right decision for the sport”.