Formula One will not announce whether the final two Middle East races will proceed until at least mid-October.
The United States’ war on Iran has already delayed the release of the 2027 F1 calendar, which has committed to hosting races in the Middle East next year.
Reports suggest Imola will host the finale should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix not go ahead, with teams expecting a decision from F1 in mid-October.
Logistics will play a key part in the decision, with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu noting that logistics staff, such as crews that construct the teams’ motorhomes, for another European race late in the year will need to be sourced.
“All those people who look after them, they have a winter job, so we need to find alternative people to do that,” he said.
Concerns about the weather in Imola for a December race have been downplayed, with Audi Team Principal Mattia Binotto suggesting that logistics will be the only concern.
“The average temperature in Imola in that time of the year is hotter than Las Vegas by the time we’ve got the race in Las Vegas,” he said.
“I don’t think that’s a true concern.”
The final two races of 2026 are scheduled to run over the first two weeks of December, with the sea freight to transport equipment to the Middle East the likely factor determining when a decision will be made.
