F1 Season Finale in Europe Possible if Middle East Races Cancelled

Formula One is poised to conclude its season in Europe if the scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi cannot proceed, as stated by Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali. The sport, which is under the ownership of Liberty Media, has set a deadline for mid-September to make a definitive decision regarding the race calendar. Domenicali emphasized the importance of monitoring the evolving situation closely, indicating that the organization will take the necessary time to assess developments before finalizing any changes. He shared these insights during a press conference on Wednesday, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the upcoming races.

The races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, initially planned for April, were canceled due to the ongoing conflict involving the US and Israel in relation to Iran. As a result, the Sepang circuit in Malaysia has been designated to host the Bahrain event on October 4, with the Gulf nation covering most of the associated costs. Meanwhile, the FIA-sanctioned World Endurance Championship (WEC) has already shifted its final two rounds from Qatar and Bahrain to the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona and Monza in Italy, scheduled for October and November, respectively. Domenicali reiterated that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are currently confirmed, with tickets already sold out, but he acknowledged that if these events cannot take place, the season's conclusion will shift to Europe, as other locations would not be viable options.