Imola finale would force early F1 start as NASCAR contenders trade punches

Formula 1's expected season finale at Imola would break with European Grand Prix tradition, forcing an unusually early race start due to limited daylight in early December.

Why it matters:

With the championship decider potentially heading to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, teams are already preparing behind the scenes, booking hotels across the surrounding area. No official decision has been made, with FOM maintaining the season will conclude as scheduled in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The details:

• Sunset constraints: On December 6, the sun sets at around 4:34 p.m. local time, and Imola lacks the lighting infrastructure to host an F1 race after dark.
• Earlier start: The Grand Prix would need to begin between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m., a significant shift from the usual 3:00 p.m. European slot.
• Weekend reshuffle: Friday practice sessions would move toward the morning and early afternoon, while Saturday qualifying, normally at 4:00 p.m., would also take place earlier.

Meanwhile in NASCAR:

NASCAR Cup Series contenders Ryan Blaney and Carson Hocevar came to blows at Bristol after Hocevar sent Blaney into the wall while fighting for second place in the final stage. Hocevar later acknowledged why Blaney was furious, admitting the incident could have had major consequences for his rival's title hopes. The 23-year-old revealed he had never punched another driver before.

What's next:

With the Imola finale still unconfirmed, an official decision will determine whether teams face a reshuffled weekend schedule. If the race moves to Italy, the earlier start adds another layer of unpredictability to the championship decider.