Where should F1 end the season if Middle East races cancelled?

In confirming F1 has "a contingency plan" in place should it be forced to cancel the final two races of the season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, CEO Stefano Domenicali has sparked conjecture as to how the campaign could now end.

Although the two events are six months away, F1 is determined that what started as a 24-race calendar is not whittled down to 20 following the cancellation of the grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which were due to take place in April.

The war between Iran and the United States/Israel rumbles on, despite an uneasy ceasefire, given reports of sporadic attacks.

Although there is still time on F1's side for an official peace to be brokered, it is naturally eager for any unwanted voids to be filled should the war continue.

Domenicali has made it clear that if Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot take place, then "we will have other alternatives". He also stated that Las Vegas, which precedes those two races, "won't be the last race on the calendar". That is not to say it could not host a double-header before another race on the final weekend.

So the question is, where could F1 head on November 29 and December 6, or even the latter date on its own, to ensure at least one additional race is scheduled? Given the climate in many regions at that time of the year, the options are few and far between.

F1 could opt to stay in North America and venture back to either Austin, Texas, or Miami. The weather conditions for both cities are reasonable.

There are downsides for both, however. From Austin's perspective, it is whether it could again generate strong enough ticket sales after staging the United States Grand Prix on October 25, just five weeks before the first potential free date on November 29.

In Miami, its American football team, the Dolphins, has games at its Hard Rock Stadium on November 29 and December 13, leaving the only free date of December 6. Logistically, it would seem unlikely F1 could be staged at the venue.

Mexico City is another possibility. Again, though, like Austin, it stages its grand prix on November 1, leaving precious little time in between dates to be up and running again weeks later.

The majority of Europe is a virtual no-no. The only possible exceptions are Portimão and Istanbul. Both officially return to the calendar next year after staging events in 2020 and 2021 to assist F1 through the Covid era.

The weather would be variable for both, but then it was only 11 degrees Celsius for the Canadian Grand Prix just a few days ago, and rain was a constant threat.

The weather definitively rules out a return to either Suzuka or Shanghai. It leaves only Kuala Lumpur as a viable Far East alternative, but it is nine years since the circuit last hosted F1 despite rumours, in the meantime, of a return.

It is a tricky situation for F1.

So take part in our poll below and let us know your thoughts as to where F1 could pitch up late this year if the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held.