Formula 1 drops Imola backup plan as Qatar and Abu Dhabi races remain on calendar

Formula 1 will proceed with plans to finish the 2026 season in the Middle East after dropping Imola as a potential replacement venue for the final races.

Organisers at the Italian circuit were informed on Tuesday that it would no longer be required as a contingency option. Imola had been on standby to host a race in early December if security concerns prevented the championship from visiting Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27-29, followed by the Abu Dhabi season finale from December 4-6. The two events complete a triple-header that begins with the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 20-22.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has maintained that the races will take place at their scheduled venues unless the situation in the region deteriorates.

Safety remains the priority, and the sport's leadership could still cancel either event if conditions change.

The decision comes after Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were affected by the conflict earlier in the season, with the Bahrain race subsequently relocated to Malaysia.