F1 Season Finale Under Threat as WEC Cancels Middle East Races

The World Endurance Championship has cancelled its Qatar and Bahrain season finales, intensifying fears that Formula 1’s concluding Middle East rounds face the same fate. With regional conflict escalating, the FIA has prioritized safety over schedule preservation in the endurance series, leaving the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix in limbo as the championship enters the second half of 2026.

Why it matters:

Formula 1’s 2026 calendar has already been shaken after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds were removed and replaced by a race at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on October 4. Losing the Qatar and Abu Dhabi finales would force another late reshuffle, disrupting team logistics, broadcast arrangements, and any remaining championship battles with only months left in the season.

The details:

• The WEC will replace its Middle East rounds with races at Barcelona-Catalunya in October and Monza in November, citing safety as the primary concern.
• FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem stated that protecting the motorsport community took precedence over preserving the regional events.
• F1 currently runs a 23-race calendar including Malaysia on October 4, but the sport has not ruled out further changes.
• Replacement options: Portimão and Imola are under consideration, though construction work at Portimão makes Imola the frontrunner.
• Italian reports suggest Imola could fill the post-Las Vegas slot on November 29, creating a 22-race calendar without a December finale.

What's next:

Formula 1 maintains that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain confirmed, yet the WEC precedent suggests contingency plans may be needed. A final decision is expected well ahead of the autumn logistics window, but if the Middle East rounds fall through, Imola stands ready to host what would be an unprecedented late-season European finale.