The Qatar Grand Prix is still in doubt, alongside the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2026. Image: XPB Images
The FIA confirmed on Tuesday that the WEC rounds previously scheduled for the Lusail Circuit and the Bahrain International Circuit will instead be held at Barcelona and Monza respectively.
Barcelona will stage a new six-hour race on October 18, while Monza will host the championship finale on November 8.
The decision followed months of discussions over whether the events could remain in the Middle East amid the continuing regional conflict and its effect on safety, freight and international travel.
WEC chief executive Frederic Lequien said organisers had reached the point where teams and manufacturers required certainty over the closing stages of the season.
“We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months,” Lequien said.
“A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race in Qatar and Bahrain, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan.
“Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements.”
The Qatar event had already been moved from its original position as the WEC season opener in March before being cancelled altogether, while Bahrain was due to conclude the campaign.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said attempts had been made to preserve both rounds before the championship activated its European alternatives.
“The FIA has worked closely with our partners in Qatar and Bahrain in recent months to explore every option to preserve both events this season,” Ben Sulayem said.
“But due to the ongoing situation in the region, the safety of our teams, colleagues, and motorsport fans remains our highest priority.
“These are never easy decisions, but protecting the wellbeing of our motorsport community will always come first.”
The relocation has intensified attention on Formula 1’s own plans, with Qatar and Abu Dhabi currently scheduled to stage the final two grands prix of the season on November 29 and December 6 respectively.
Both events remain on the calendar, but discussions have continued over possible alternatives should conditions prevent Formula 1 from completing the season in the region.
The championship has more time than the WEC to make a final decision, although contingency planning is already understood to include the possibility of holding a replacement finale in Europe after the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Imola has emerged as a leading candidate, with Portimao also discussed as a potential host if one or both Middle Eastern rounds cannot proceed.
The Italian circuit remained on the Formula 1 calendar until 2025 and retains the infrastructure required to stage a grand prix at relatively short notice.
However, a December event at Imola would bring significant challenges, with low temperatures likely to make tyre preparation difficult and increase the risk of poor weather affecting the weekend.
Portimao had previously appeared well placed because of its recent experience hosting Formula 1 and Portugal’s milder late-year conditions.
Its prospects have become less certain because the Algarve circuit is preparing infrastructure work ahead of its scheduled return to the championship in 2027 and 2028.
Istanbul Park in Turkey has also been linked with the contingency discussions, while another option could involve adding a second race at a circuit already appearing on the 2026 calendar.
Formula 1 has already been forced to substantially revise this year’s schedule after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled earlier in the season.
Those cancellations initially reduced the planned 24-race championship to 22 rounds before an unusual agreement restored one event through Malaysia’s return to the calendar.
Sepang will host the relocated Bahrain Grand Prix from October 2-4, marking Formula 1’s first visit to Malaysia since 2017.
The race will retain the official identity of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and form a triple-header with Azerbaijan and Singapore.
That addition lifted the calendar back to 23 races, but the WEC announcement underlined that the final shape of the Formula 1 season remains unresolved.