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Reuters • November 11th, 2026 7:50 am
Australia's Oscar Piastri on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit which will stage the final GP this year | Photo: AP
Formula One will end its season in the Middle East as scheduled with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the Liberty Media-owned sport has said with Italy's Imola circuit no longer required as a back-up option.
The teams competing in the championship have been informed of the decision, with Formula One saying all 11 were supportive.
The move comes after MotoGP held its Qatar round at the Lusail circuit near Doha last weekend, despite reported resistance from riders and Yamaha withdrawing from the event..
Both Formula One championships have been decided, with 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli taking the drivers' title in Mexico this month and his Mercedes team completing the double in Brazil last Sunday.
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson | Photo: AP
Imola was a fallback option, pencilled in for December 6 should the Iran war and regional conflict make it unsafe for Formula One to complete its calendar in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi the weekend after.
The Italian circuit -- a home venue for Antonelli and also for Ferrari -- had a cut-off point, however, and local organisers were informed of the decision on Tuesday.
"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," International Automobile Federation (FIA) president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, earlier posted on Instagram.
"We are fully prepared and committed to delivering two outstanding grand prix weekends and a spectacular conclusion to the FIA Formula One world championship," added Ben Sulayem, who is from the United Arab Emirates, which includes Abu Dhabi.
Motorcycle GPs were successfully held at Qatar's Lusail International Circuit last weekend | Photo: EPA
"We look forward to welcoming drivers, teams and fans to two iconic circuits for an unforgettable finish to the season."
The FIA approves the F1 calendar as the series' governing body, but it doesn't directly decide who gets to host a race.
That is a matter for F1, whose president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly said that Qatar and Abu Dhabi are the preferred options to end the season.
F1 teams have consistently expressed confidence in the sport and governing body the FIA to make the right decision over where to end the season and none are understood to have expressed an unwillingness over travelling to the Middle East.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday (Tuesday NZT) he planned to hold off on new military strikes against Iran for the time being after appeals from countries in the region, including from Qatar's prime minister.
Formula One could still cancel the races if the situation flares up, with safety a priority. The next race is in Las Vegas on November 22 (NZT).
