FIA President Insists F1 Season Will Conclude in Middle East Despite Regional Conflict

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has firmly declared that the 2026 Formula 1 season will conclude in the Middle East as scheduled. Despite ongoing regional hostilities, the governing body maintains that the perceived dangers have been overblown and that the final rounds will proceed as business as usual.

Why it matters:

The insistence on racing in a volatile region creates a tense divide between the sport's governing bodies and the teams. With logistical planning and driver safety at stake, the lack of definitive clarity from F1 leadership has left several teams in the dark, complicating the final stretch of a high-stakes championship.

The details:

• Scheduled Events: The calendar remains set for the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and the Abu Dhabi finale on December 6.
• The Imola Contingency: Due to the uncertainty, the Imola circuit in Italy is currently on standby to host a standalone season finale on December 6 if the Middle East events are cancelled.
• Title Implications: Kimi Antonelli currently leads the standings. An unexpected cancellation could result in a scenario where he is crowned champion via a press release rather than on track, as the points gap might be insurmountable with fewer races remaining.
• Safety Justification: Ben Sulayem cited personal reasons for his confidence, noting that he would not have left his own children in the UAE if he believed the region was unsafe for FIA staff and teams.

The big picture:

This tension follows a turbulent year for F1's Middle Eastern presence. The sport was already forced to cancel the Saudi Arabian event and rearrange the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia earlier this year due to the conflict involving Iran. To fulfill contractual obligations to broadcasters and teams—which require a minimum of 22 races—F1 only needs a single replacement event (Imola) to maintain its seasonal quota if the final two races are scrapped.

What's next:

While F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has described the calendar as "confirmed," the organization later clarified that the schedule remains subject to change. All eyes are now on the logistical movements of the teams as they approach the November window to see if the "business as usual" approach holds or if a pivot to Europe becomes inevitable.