F1 confidence grows for Qatar, Abu Dhabi season finale

F1 is growing more confident about closing the 2026 season with back-to-back races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, despite regional tensions earlier this year. RacingNews365 understands that talks with race representatives are moving positively, and the sport is edging closer to its original plan.

Why it matters:

The outcome determines whether the season ends with a reliable double-header in the Gulf or a last-minute contingency. A Middle East finale would also restore a sense of normalcy after a calendar disrupted by the Iran war.

The details:

• The Bahrain Grand Prix, originally slated for April, was rescheduled to October and moved to Sepang in Malaysia.
• F1 declined to follow WEC and WRC in cancelling its late-season Middle East events, keeping the door open for a return.
• A backup plan to race at Imola in early December remains, but with the Qatar GP now about two months out, a decision is becoming urgent.
• Many European airlines, except Turkish carriers, still aren't flying to the region, though the situation appears calmer than in recent months.
• Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton has voiced support for returning, saying he trusts F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to make the right call.

What's next:

• Further discussions are expected this weekend in Baku.
• If all goes well, the season will conclude with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, keeping the original calendar intact.