Abu Dhabi Set to Host 2026 F1 Finale Amidst Regional Tensions

Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has thrown his support behind Formula 1's intention to wrap up the 2026 season in the Middle East, even as global sporting events have generally been steering clear of the region due to escalating conflicts.

Currently, F1 plans to conclude the season with high-profile events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Team bosses had set a mid-October deadline to finalize plans, partly to prepare for the possibility of utilizing Imola as a backup. Despite some skepticism about the feasibility of racing in the Middle East this year, the races have remained on the calendar, unlike earlier this year when Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were scrubbed due to US actions in Iran causing regional instability.

While Bahrain later returned to the schedule, pairing with a race in Malaysia, international motorsport has largely avoided the Middle East. Domestic championships have also postponed or relocated events. Michel, speaking to media including PlanetF1, stated, "For the moment, and I think it’s completely clear, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are on the calendar, and we are going to finish the championship in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi."

He added, "Formula 1 is completely aware of all the situation and what needs to be done to make sure that we exercise those two races in the best conditions, which will be the case. We are really looking forward, since we have a fantastic championship to finish with a lot of drivers, three drivers, fighting for the title."

Michel's comments followed recent attacks by Houthi rebels on a Saudi airport and the Aramco headquarters in Yemen. Shifting the races to Imola in early December poses challenges, including reduced daylight and unfavorable weather conditions. Michel expressed reluctance to declare the championship without further racing, saying, "That would be very sad, let’s put it that way, so I don’t think it’s going to happen."

He continued, "Going back and saying, ‘Oh, by the way, the champion has been declared a month ago, but we couldn’t crown him’, would not be very good. So yes, we absolutely want to finish the championship as it is planned."

If the season were to end prematurely, newly announced Haas F1 driver Rafael Camara would narrowly take the title over Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov. While F2 drivers have largely remained silent on racing in the Middle East, four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen previously expressed his preference to avoid the region this year.

Michel concluded, "Well, then Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not be cancelled. And you know the drivers always have an opinion on a lot of things. But I tell you now, we want to finish the season there for sure, and that’s what Formula 1 is doing as well, and that we’re heading to."