Formula 1 set for Qatar and Abu Dhabi races after Imola snub

Formula 1 is set to conclude its season in the Middle East, despite ongoing hostilities in the region. The sport had until Tuesday to decide whether to finish the season with races in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates or to shift the finale to Imola, Italy. With both the team and driver championships decided, F1 appears to be proceeding with races in the Middle East, months after the Bahrain Grand Prix moved to Malaysia due to regional instability.

The Middle Eastern legs of the 2023 Formula 1 season have been constantly reviewed since Donald Trump's conflict with Iran, which prompted a retaliatory strike by Iran, targeting allies such as Qatar and the UAE. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was canceled, and the kingdom has faced attacks from Yemeni rebel groups. Drone strikes in airports, resulting in civilian casualties, led to the postponement of other sporting events in the area, including the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament.

F1 officials reportedly informed Imola officials that preparations for the Italian track as the season finale are no longer required. However, the season could still conclude prematurely in Las Vegas in two weeks if the situation in the Middle East deteriorates. Mercedes secured the team championship title at the weekend in Brazil, just a week after their star driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest ever Formula 1 champion and the first Italian winner in over 70 years.

The 2027 season is expected to kick off with two Middle Eastern races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in March, before returning to the region for the final events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.