F1 / NEWS & CONTEXT

Hamilton doubts Imola would make an exciting F1 finale

Hamilton likes driving at Imola but doubts it would make an exciting finale, amid speculation about the last two races of the season.

GPBeat · Newsroom01 Oct 2026, 20:17 · 1 min

Lewis Hamilton has questioned whether Imola would work as the final race of the 2026 Formula 1 season. RacingNews365 Nederland reported on 1 October that the circuit had been discussed in the paddock as a possible early-December alternative if the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi could not take place. The report does not describe a decision to move the finale.

Hamilton said Imola was enjoyable to drive, but doubted it would produce an interesting finale. He said he had driven there recently, found the circuit bumpy when using Straight Mode and thought overtaking was all but impossible.

Hamilton said he did not fully know the current situation in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. He hoped both scheduled races could go ahead and said he was particularly fond of Abu Dhabi.

Sources 01

SOURCEHamilton kraakt mogelijk alternatief voor F1-finaleRacingNews365 Nederland · Source date as found: 2026-10-01

Source context

RacingNews365 Nederland reported Hamilton’s comments on 1 October 2026 and described the Imola scenario as paddock speculation.

Claims and supporting evidence 3

RacingNews365 reports paddock rumours about Imola as a possible early-December finale if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races cannot take place. It does not report a decision to move the finale.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Status of a possible 2026 season finale at Imola 2026 season; reported 1 October 2026 This is the outlet’s account of rumours, not confirmation from Formula 1 or a race organiser.

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Hamilton told RacingNews365 and others that Imola is enjoyable to drive but, in his assessment, would not make an interesting final race: he found it bumpy when using Straight Mode and considered overtaking effectively impossible.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Hamilton’s assessment of Imola as a finale venue Remarks reported 1 October 2026 about a hypothetical 2026 finale These are Hamilton’s reported observations and judgement, not independently measured track or overtaking results.

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Hamilton said he did not fully know the current situation in the two countries. He hoped the final two races could go ahead and expressed particular affection for Abu Dhabi.

This source finding must be read within the stated scope and source context. Hamilton’s preference and qualification concerning the scheduled final races Remarks reported 1 October 2026 about the final races of 2026 His hope and assessment do not establish whether either race will take place or whether travel there is safe.

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Corrections and updates to this story

01 Oct 2026, 20:25

Correction: wording in body was amended following source verification. Corresponding translated passages were updated and checked; the remaining text is unchanged.

This article was produced with AI assistance. Source references make its supporting evidence traceable.