F1 Drops Imola Backup Plan, Sticks With Qatar And Abu Dhabi Season Finale

Formula 1 has dropped plans to use Italy's Imola circuit as a backup venue for its season-ending races, signalling its intention to proceed with the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix despite continuing tensions in the Middle East.

The status of the two races had been uncertain after the Iran war forced the Bahrain Grand Prix to be shifted to Malaysia and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to be cancelled.

F1 had initiated preparations with local authorities at Imola as a contingency option but has now informed the circuit and the teams that no race would be held there, according to a person familiar with the development.

Meanwhile, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the governing body was fully prepared to deliver the final two race weekends as scheduled.

"We are ready for Qatar and Abu Dhabi," Ben Sulayem said in a social media post, adding that the FIA was working closely with its partners to ensure everything was in place for drivers, teams and fans.

However, he did not disclose details of the preparations or specific security arrangements. F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali has repeatedly maintained that Qatar and Abu Dhabi remain the preferred venues for concluding the championship. While the FIA approves the racing calendar, decisions concerning hosting agreements and contracts rest with Formula 1.

The decision follows months of uncertainty over the Middle East races, with F1 monitoring the regional security situation before finalising its plans.

Williams driver Carlos Sainz Jr. had earlier expressed reservations about racing in the region, although he subsequently said he trusted the FIA and Formula 1 to prioritise safety.

The remaining races are the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 21, the Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6.

A race at Imola would also have offered a homecoming celebration for Kimi Antonelli, the newly crowned Italian world champion, whose hometown of Bologna is close to the circuit.