F1 Middle East decision update as crucial US elections loom for Donald Trump

Formula 1's plans to end the 2026 season in the Middle East remain unchanged despite the United States issuing advisories for the region for citizens to consider contigency plans. 

Over the weekend, US embassies and consulates in the region issued security updates, following recent attacks by Iranian-supported Houthis in Saudi Arabia, including attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which left 14 dead and hundreds injured.

According to the advisories issued across the Middle East and Persian Gulf, the "hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area."

However, as of the time of writing, the Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia have ceased. 

A crucial point will come in early November when the United States holds its midterm congressional elections on Tuesday, November 3rd, with all 435 members of the House and one-third of the Senate up for re-election, in addition to numerous gubernatorial races across 36 of the 50 states.

The midterms are generally viewed as a referendum on the performance of the incumbent president and their party, with President Donald Trump and the Republicans currently holding both the White House and Congress. 

Incumbent presidents generally fare badly in the midterms, with one example being in the 2010 midterms, when President Barack Obama's Democratic Party lost control of the House with huge losses whilst losing seats in the Senate.

President Trump faces growing unpopularity at home as the economy falters, fuel prices soar and the war in Iran drags on. 

His approval rating is currently in the mid-30s, with the Republicans tipped to lose control of the House, and potentially the Senate in the midterms. However, Trump has confirmed that there will be no further US military strikes on Iran until after polling day. 

"We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd," he wrote on his Truth Social page on October 8th. 

In another important election, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also going to the polls in the coming weeks, with voting day set for October 27th.

F1 is scheduled to host the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix on November 30th, and December 6th, respectively, to conclude the 2026 season, with earlier races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia postponed in April after the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Bahrain was ultimately rearranged to Malaysia, with F1 intending to run a 23-race season, with RacingNews365 understanding that F1's travel plans are informed by the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).

Currently, as of October 19th, for both Qatar and the UAE, the FCDO states that British nationals in the Middle East should: "be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions," and should keep up to date on travel arrangements and the latest news. 

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Imola back-up option continues

F1 has made clear that Imola will serve as a backup to Abu Dhabi should that race be unable to go ahead.

The Italian circuit stepped in at short notice to host a grand prix in the COVID-19-hit 2020 season, and joined the calendar through the first half of the decade under the 'Emilia Romagna Grand Prix' moniker, with the exception of the cancelled 2023 race due to floods.

Imola has been put on standby to step in for Abu Dhabi if required with work underway to prep in case the contingency is activated. 

Due to be held on Abu Dhabi's date of December 6th, it would be the first European finish to an F1 season since 1997, when Jerez hosted the title showdown between Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher.