F1 keeps Middle East finale plan as Imola stands by for Abu Dhabi

Formula 1's plan to finish the 2026 season with Grands Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi remains unchanged despite US security advisories for the region, RacingNews365 reports. Imola is on standby as a replacement if Abu Dhabi cannot go ahead, with preparations under way at the Italian circuit.

US embassies and consulates in the region issued security updates over the weekend after attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Saudi Arabia. The attacks included strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that left 14 dead and hundreds injured, the report said. It added that the Houthi strikes had ceased by the time of writing, although the advisories warned that hostilities could spread beyond the immediate area.

As of October 19, Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised British nationals in Qatar and the UAE to prepare for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and travel disruption. RacingNews365 said its understanding was that F1's travel plans are informed by that guidance.

An earlier report published on October 14 said F1 was continuing on the basis of local-authority security guarantees. It also said teams would want clarity by mid-October because European hospitality structures take time to set up.

If activated, the Imola fallback would take Abu Dhabi's December 6 slot, giving F1 its first European season finale since 1997.