Sep.18 (GMM) More and more signs are emerging that Formula 1 is unlikely to finish the 2026 season in the Middle East, with Imola now widely treated inside the paddock as the replacement finale.
Auto Motor und Sport reports that the worsening regional security situation is now affecting several major motorsport events beyond F1.
The Dakar Rally, due to be held in Saudi Arabia in January, is reportedly at risk of cancellation, while the FIA has already removed Saudi Arabia’s WRC round from the calendar and replaced it with Rally Italia Sardegna.
Former rider Heinz Kinigadner told Speed Week when asked about Dakar: “I personally expect it to be called off.”
He said insurance and staffing concerns could become decisive.
“The organiser simply can’t be responsible for that, with the entire TV production and the rest of the crew,” said Kinigadner.
“Some mechanics have already said they won’t go to Saudi Arabia.”
Formula 1’s Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds officially remain on the 2026 calendar, but uncertainty is increasing by the day.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Imola mayor Marco Panieri and circuit director Pietro Benvenuti have repeatedly visited the F1 paddock in recent months to speak with Stefano Domenicali.
The newspaper says teams have already alerted hotels around Imola, while the proposed December 6 race would start at 12 noon because of the early winter darkness.
That increasingly makes Imola look less like a contingency and more like the paddock’s working assumption for the season finale.
The uncertainty may not end with 2026 either, with the newly announced 2027 calendar still featuring Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite the same Iran-related security concerns.
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES