F1 boss says season to finish in Europe if Gulf races cancelled

Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali says the season will conclude in Europe if the Middle East war prevents the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to go ahead Image: AFP auto racing F1 boss says season to finish in Europe if Gulf races cancelled Today 05:30 am JST Today | 07:00 am JST 0 Comments PARIS The Formula One season will finish in Europe if the planned races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are cancelled due to the Middle East war, the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali said Wednesday. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix were scrapped earlier this season due to the start of Israel and the United States' war with Iran. The Bahrain Grand Prix was eventually rescheduled and will now be held in Malaysia on October 4.

Domenicali said F1 would decide whether or not to go ahead with the race in Qatar, scheduled for November 29, and the season finale in Abu Dhabi on December 6, by mid-September. "That moment will be not be before the middle of September. For us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed," he told reporters.

"But of course, if the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision. And in that respect, I just want confirm to you that if this will not be possible, that the end of the season would be in Europe." There have been persistent rumors in the paddock suggesting an extra Grand Prix could be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, or that a second successive race may be staged in Las Vegas, the week after the one already slated for November 21.

But Domenicali said that idea had been shelved. "There was a possibility of having two races in Las Vegas but we don't want to ruin a jewel that is growing by undervaluing what we are doing there," he said. "And of course, we don't have to forget that in that period of the year, we are fighting in the U.

S. against the NFL." Domenicali did not say which tracks in Europe could step in if needed, although the Imola circuit is reportedly the front-runner to host the finale if the Middle East conflict is still ongoing.

The World Endurance Championship announced Tuesday it would conclude its season in Spain and Italy after cancelling planned events in Qatar and Bahrain. © 2026 AFP ©2026 GPlusMedia Inc. How to Buy a Home in Japan Learn how to buy a home in Japan, including the purchase process, financing options and latest market trends.

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