Imola on standby as backup venue for final 2026 F1 race

Backup plan for season finale

Imola staged Formula 1 races from 1980-2006 and again from 2020-2025, latterly as the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. It is now being readied as a potential host for the final grand prix of the season on 4-6 December if the two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held.

At the moment, F1 is pressing ahead with the Middle Eastern races, having been given what it considers suitable security guarantees and reassurances. F1 is being advised that there have been no attacks on civilian infrastructure in Qatar or the United Arab Emirates since May.

But the sport is aware that the situation in the Middle East is unpredictable and volatile, and is bracing itself for a potential escalation.

Who pays for the preparations

The Q&A addresses the question of who is paying for Imola to be prepared as a back-up. Imola is being readied as a potential host for the final grand prix of the season on 4-6 December if the two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot be held.

At the moment, F1 is pressing ahead with the Middle Eastern races, having been given what it considers suitable security guarantees and reassurances. The sport is monitoring the situation closely as the season enters its final six-race run to the end of December, with Austin hosting the first of those events.