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F1 Eyes Middle East Finish Amid Regional Tensions
14 Sep
Summary
- Formula 1 may shift its season finale from Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- Imola is on standby as a potential replacement venue for the finale.
- Kimi Antonelli's win in Madrid significantly boosted his title hopes.
Formula One's season finale, currently scheduled for Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6, faces uncertainty due to the United States-Iran conflict. Imola has been placed on standby as a potential replacement if Middle Eastern events cannot proceed. No firm decision deadline has been set, and tickets for the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain on sale.
The 2027 calendar is anticipated for confirmation later this week, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia slated to host the opening rounds in March. These races were canceled in 2026 due to regional violence, though a Bahrain Grand Prix will unusually occur at Malaysia's Sepang circuit next month. Concerns about staging global sporting events in the Middle East persist, despite the UK's Foreign Office no longer advising against travel to the region.
Separately, championship leader Kimi Antonelli made significant progress towards his first title by winning in Madrid. A Virtual Safety Car period influenced the race outcome, affecting Lando Norris's chances for a third win in four events. Max Verstappen noted that such VSC deployments can be 'painful' and believes the issue warrants discussion at the upcoming drivers' briefing in Azerbaijan.
