Formula 1's 2026 season is being run without a confirmed end date, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to cast uncertainty over the final races on the calendar. The sport has already been forced to adapt once, and contingency plans are in place for further disruption — with the historic Imola circuit waiting in the wings.

A season in flux

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were both cancelled earlier this year due to the US-Israel war with Iran. F1 adapted by relocating the Bahrain GP to Malaysia's Sepang circuit in early October — a deal that came together quickly as F1 looked to ensure at least 21 races could take place, the critical number to fulfill commercial contracts including television broadcast deals.

The decisions on whether the Qatar Grand Prix (late November) and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (early December, currently slated as the finale on December 6) can go ahead will be known by mid-September. If they cannot, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed a replacement race will happen somewhere in Europe.

"In case the situation in the Middle East is not solved, we have options, different plans," Domenicali said regarding the 2027 calendar. "But the trigger for that, of course, is at the end of the year, so we have still a lot of time to adjust. If the situation in that region is not solved for next year, F1 is a marginal point on which we should be worried marginally because the situation will be very bad."

Imola: The front-runner

The leading candidate to step in should the need arise is Imola, which lost its place on the F1 calendar after the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The Portuguese circuit at Portimão had been floated as an alternative, but as it is being reconfigured ahead of the returning Portuguese GP in 2027, it cannot complete construction and host a race simultaneously.

Concerns about December temperatures in northern Italy appear unfounded. "If I look at the statistics of the temperature in Europe in that time, it's not as cool as Las Vegas' average temperature while we are racing," Domenicali noted, referencing the successful Las Vegas Grand Prix held in chilly November conditions. "We hope that there will be no snow."

Imola's narrow layout historically hampered overtaking, but as The Athletic's Alex Kalinauckas pointed out, the same was true of Barcelona — which produced great racing with the new 2026 cars. The circuit's layout also means it will not greatly drain the engine's energy, meaning its classic corners should provide the challenge many drivers have been craving from the new regulations.

An Italian coronation?

There is a poetic dimension to the Imola possibility. Domenicali is from Imola, and Kimi Antonelli was born and raised in Bologna, roughly an hour's drive away. If Antonelli — who leads the drivers' standings by 50 points — succeeds in winning this year's world title, he would become the first Italian F1 champion in 73 years, since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Even if Antonelli is unofficially crowned earlier in the season, a finale on home soil would be something to behold. It would also give Imola back the race it lost in the terrible floods of 2023.

Looking ahead to 2027 and beyond

The 2027 calendar will not be announced until the autumn, with F1 keeping a close eye on the Middle East situation. Domenicali confirmed that contingency plans are in place to maintain 24 races next year regardless.

F1 has already announced Turkey and Portugal will return to the calendar in 2028 to replace Zandvoort (hosting its final Dutch GP this August) and Barcelona. Any new events would join no earlier than 2028, but F1 is in active talks with Rwanda, South Africa, Thailand and Argentina — the latter driven by the sport's surge in popularity since Franco Colapinto joined the grid.

Germany has also emerged as a surprise contender, with Hockenheim — which last hosted F1 in 2019 — now under different ownership. "It was Hockenheim that connected with us, and they had the first discussion," Domenicali revealed. "If they want to discuss a possible F1 event, of course the investment needs to be different. But we have discussed that."

F1 is also seeing growing interest in China and Japan for additional races, though Domenicali indicated a preference to consolidate the Chinese market with one race for now. "We are watching the growth in Europe because it's becoming an important market again because the numbers are there," he added.

For the immediate future, though, all eyes are on mid-September — when F1 will learn whether its 2026 season ends in the desert of Abu Dhabi or the hills of Emilia-Romagna.