![\"F1](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/XPB_1390707_HiRes.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tF1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says contingency plans are in place should the remaing two Middle East rounds be cancelled. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tF1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says contingency plans are in place should the remaing two Middle East rounds be cancelled. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n
F1 had already been forced to abandon the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds earlier this season<\/a> amid the conflict in the region, reducing the 2026 calendar to 22 races.<\/p>\n While a ceasefire has remained in place since April, uncertainty continues to surround the two season-ending Middle East events scheduled for November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n Speaking to French outlet L\u2019Equipe, Domenicali confirmed Formula 1 is actively preparing alternative options should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix be unable to proceed amid ongoing instability in the region.<\/p>\n \u201cAs with Covid, we have to try to be as pragmatic as possible,\u201d Domenicali said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe fact that we\u2019ve withdrawn the Bahrain and Jeddah races so far stems from the fact that we knew it wasn\u2019t possible to go there at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially since we\u2019re entertainment, a sport that brings joy and pleasure. You have to go to a place where that\u2019s truly the atmosphere.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope, for Formula 1 but especially for the world, that the situation improves as quickly as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Domenicali admitted Formula 1 would soon need to make a final call on the viability of the remaining Gulf races due to the logistical complexities.<\/p>\n \u201cPromoters in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are already selling tickets, and sales are going very, very well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cBut there will come a time when we have to make decisions, because it\u2019s not like a football match where there are only two teams, 22 players, and where substitutions are easy.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us, there\u2019s the logistical complexity, the costs.\u201d<\/p>\n The Italian also revealed rescheduling races later in the season would be extremely difficult because of the lack of available dates on the calendar.<\/p>\n \u201cTo be transparent, I think rescheduling both is impossible,\u201d Domenicali said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd even rescheduling just one won\u2019t be easy. There aren\u2019t many available slots.\u201d<\/p>\n However, he confirmed Formula 1 was already evaluating alternatives if further cancellations become necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cI can confirm that we have a contingency plan,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if the two end-of-year races cannot take place because the war is not over, we will have other alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n While Domenicali did not elaborate on the alternatives, there has been speculation that other venues could step in as replacement rounds.<\/p>\n Turkey has emerged as one possible replacement venue<\/a>, with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem recently suggesting Istanbul Park could potentially return a year earlier than planned if homologation requirements are completed in time.<\/p>\n