F1 Season Finale at Risk as WEC Scraps Middle East Races

The FIA World Endurance Championship has formally cancelled its Qatar and Bahrain rounds, relocating them to Barcelona and Monza respectively amid ongoing regional conflict. The decision has intensified pressure on Formula 1, which still intends to conclude its 2026 season in Qatar and Abu Dhabi in late November and early December despite facing similar safety and logistical concerns.

Why it matters:

F1’s calendar has already endured major disruption this season after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled, with Sepang replacing the Bahrain race in October. Losing the final two Middle Eastern rounds would force another substantial reshuffle and could push the championship finale to Europe under challenging late-season weather conditions.

The details:

• WEC confirmed its Qatar event will move to Barcelona on October 18, while the Bahrain finale shifts to Monza on November 8 after organisers concluded the regional situation made racing impossible.
• F1 still plans to race at Lusail on November 29 and Yas Marina on December 6, but active contingency planning is underway.
• Imola: The Italian circuit is the leading candidate to host a replacement finale, though a December grand prix there carries risks of low temperatures and difficult tyre preparation.
• Portimao: Once favored for its milder late-year conditions, the Algarve circuit is now less viable due to infrastructure work ahead of its scheduled 2027 return.
• Other options: Istanbul Park has been linked to contingency talks, and F1 could also stage a second race at an existing 2026 venue.
• The revised F1 calendar now stands at 23 races after Malaysia agreed to host the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix on October 2-4, forming a triple-header with Azerbaijan and Singapore.

What's next:

Formula 1 has more time than WEC to finalize its decision, but teams and manufacturers will soon require certainty. If regional instability persists, the championship may pivot to a European conclusion after Las Vegas, though finding a suitable venue and date at short notice presents considerable logistical hurdles.