F1 drops Imola backup plan as Qatar and Abu Dhabi races stay on schedule

Formula 1 is proceeding with its scheduled season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and has told Italy's Imola circuit to stop preparing as a replacement venue, according to BBC Sport. The decision leaves the two Middle Eastern events on the 2026 calendar, although F1 says worsening regional conditions could still lead to their cancellation.

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BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson reported that Imola was told on Tuesday to stand down. The Italian circuit had been preparing for a possible race on the Abu Dhabi weekend if the Middle Eastern events could not take place. Qatar remains scheduled for 27-29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on 4-6 December.

F1's position is conditional rather than an assurance that both races will happen. A spokesperson told the BBC that the championship would act if circumstances deteriorated in the weeks before the events, with safety taking precedence. The plans are going ahead against the backdrop of the continuing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has already disrupted this season's calendar.

In explaining the decision, F1 said conditions in Qatar and the UAE had not worsened in recent months. It pointed to government advice permitting travel, insurance remaining valid, events taking place and business activity returning to normal levels. The championship also said all teams supported completing the season at the planned venues. A MotoGP event took place in Qatar last weekend, the BBC reported.

That position has not removed concern within the paddock. Benson reported that several senior F1 figures had privately expressed unease about travelling to the region, citing the races' proximity to areas around the Strait of Hormuz where missile strikes were continuing. The report also noted recent cancellations or postponements of events in neighbouring Saudi Arabia following attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen.

The earlier disruption affected the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain grands prix, both originally scheduled for April. Saudi Arabia's race was cancelled, while Bahrain's was delayed and eventually staged at Malaysia's Sepang circuit in October, according to the BBC. For the final two rounds, F1 has now ended Imola's standby preparations while retaining the option to cancel if the security situation deteriorates.