![\"Bruno](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/bruno-michel-f2-f3-ceo.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFormula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has stated the 2026 season-concluding Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds \u201cwill not be cancelled\u201d, despite the threat of the Iran war.<\/p>\n
The conflict, which was started by United States and Israel strikes in late February, has destabilised the Middle East. Some of the lesser consequences in the grand scheme of things were the impact on racing calendars, with F2\u2019s Bahrain and Saudi rounds replaced by races in Miami and Montreal, as the series races alongside Formula 1.<\/p>\n
F1 and race organisers are understood to be both hopeful to run the events as planned and keen not to unilaterally cancel them, for evident financial reasons. Still, the world championship has been preparing a contingency plan, with Imola ready to step in on the first weekend of December, in case those two grands prix can\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Formula 2 added a race to its Baku schedule in late September, which is exactly what Formula 3 did at its Madrid season finale to compensate for the loss of its Bahrain round \u2013 so the Baku decision was viewed as a way to prepare for potential cancellations.<\/p>\n
However, Michel insists the championship\u2019s plans are unchanged: \u201cFor the moment \u2013 and I think it’s completely clear \u2013 Qatar and Abu Dhabi are on the calendar, and we are going to finish the championship in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re following Formula 1 on that. Formula 1 is completely aware of all the situation and what needs to be done to make sure that we exercise those two races in the best conditions \u2013 which will be the case.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince we have a fantastic championship to finish with a lot of drivers, three drivers fighting for the title, we’re really looking forward to have those last two races in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Bruno Michel, F2 & F3 CEO<\/p>\n
Photo by: James Sutton \/ Formula 1 \/ Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Interestingly, a throwaway comment made by Colton Herta<\/a> suggested there may not be any further racing at all in F2 this year. \u201cUnsure if that’s the last one [of the season] or if we have more, but we’ll keep working like we have two more races to do,\u201d the American told Motorsport.com in Baku<\/a>.<\/p>\n This comment was put to Michel by Motorsport.com and he was then asked if there would be replacement races in the event that Qatar and Abu Dhabi were cancelled, but the Frenchman remained adamant: \u201cWell, Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not be cancelled.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, the drivers always have an opinion on a lot of things. But I tell you now, we want to finish the season there for sure. That’s what Formula 1 is doing as well and that’s what we’re doing too.\u201d<\/p>\n However, pressed on whether the champion might have unknowingly been crowned in Baku \u2013 in which case it would be standings leader Rafael Camara<\/a> \u2013 Michel responded: \u201cYou know, that would be very sad, let’s put it that way.<\/p>\n \u201cI don’t think it’s going to happen \u2013 honestly, it’s not going to happen. Because I agree with you, going back and saying, \u2018Oh, by the way, the champion has been declared a month ago, but we couldn’t crown you\u2019, would not be very good. So, yes, we absolutely want to finish the championship as it is now.\u201d<\/p>\n Read Also:<\/p>\n New Haas signing Camara is leading the championship with 207 points to Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov<\/a>\u2019s 200 and Alpine protege Alex Dunne<\/a>\u2019s 189.<\/p>\n The trio would be the only drivers with a shot at the title if there were one more round, while Gabriele Mini, Dino Beganovic<\/a> and Noel Leon will also have an outside chance if Qatar and Abu Dhabi take place as planned.<\/p>\n We want your opinion!<\/p>\n What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?<\/p>\n