F1 delays decision on Qatar and Abu Dhabi finale amid Middle East conflict

Formula 1 is holding off on a final call over whether its season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will go ahead, with the war in the Middle East having already forced the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds back in April.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed that a decision on the remaining Middle East races will be made in mid-September. If they cannot proceed, F1 would return to Europe — most likely Imola in Italy — to conclude the season with a single replacement round.

For now, however, business appears to be carrying on as usual. Tickets and packages for the final two races are being promoted, and in a Qatar Motorsport and Motorcycle Federation Q&A, its president, Abdul Rahman bin Abdul Latif Al Mannai, said planning continued for both F1 and MotoGP events in late 2026.

"For us, we cannot stop the plans," said Al Mannai. "We have to be ready. We are taking it one step at a time to see the situation and assess. But so far, everything is good. Everything is a go-ahead."

A report from The Race suggests the MotoGP round is already on the verge of being cancelled. The next couple of weeks should bring clarity on F1's plans for the end of the year.