European Finale Considered Amid Middle East Conflict

By Liam Tremblay — 29 July 2026 — 3 min read

European Finale Considered Amid Middle East Conflict

The 2026 Formula 1 season may conclude its final rounds in Europe if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East prevents races from being held in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Stefano Domenicali, president of Formula 1, confirmed that a decision regarding these races will be made by mid-September. While the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently confirmed and sold out, contingency plans are in place should the situation not clear up.

Domenicali indicated that if the Middle East races cannot proceed, the season would end in Europe, as other locations are not feasible. He did not specify a particular European venue, though the Imola circuit in Italy has been mentioned as a potential front-runner. Imola is considered an option, but not yet a defined replacement venue.

Calendar Adjustments and Future Plans

Formula 1 has already had to adjust its calendar due to the conflict, cancelling races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia that were scheduled for April. The sport announced that Malaysia would step in to hold a race in October on behalf of Bahrain. This addition brings the number of Grand Prix events to 21, fulfilling various commercial contract requirements.

Despite the current challenges, Domenicali is keen to maintain a race after the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 21. The possibility of holding two races in Las Vegas was considered but ultimately dismissed to avoid undervaluing the event and competing with the NFL, a major sport in the US during that period. Domenicali emphasized the importance of avoiding situations that would put Formula 1 in direct competition with such a significant sporting event.

The F1 president also addressed concerns about racing in Europe in late November or early December, noting that expected temperatures could be less cool than the average temperatures experienced during the Las Vegas Grand Prix. He acknowledged that weather conditions are unpredictable due to climate change but expressed hope that European weather would permit racing.

Looking ahead to next year, the opening race is expected to return to Bahrain after two years in Australia, a change influenced by the timing of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Domenicali stated that alternative plans are in place to ensure the target of 24 countries for next year’s calendar is met, even if the situation in the Middle East remains unresolved.

Discussions are also underway regarding future engine regulations. The current engines, which feature a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, have drawn criticism from some drivers. Domenicali, however, highlighted the positive fan reception to the on-track action, noting that the technical aspects of the engines are often too complex for the broader audience.

He mentioned that steps are being taken to reduce the impact of energy recovery on driving over the next two seasons. While acknowledging the importance of driver feedback, Domenicali encouraged constructive comments, preferring discussions within closed settings to find solutions. The sport aims to have an outline plan for the next engine rules by the end of this year.

The president of F1’s governing body, the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has expressed a desire for a return to naturally aspirated V8 engines for the 2030 or 2031 engine rules. Most engine manufacturers are open to a V8 architecture, though Mercedes and Audi prefer to retain turbochargers, with talks reportedly moving in that direction. The engines are also expected to maintain a significant proportion of electrical power to ensure their relevance to road vehicles.

The 2026 Formula 1 season will resume after the summer break with a Sprint weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix from August 21-23.

Source: bbc.com