F1 announce 'contingency plan' for Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs as alternative races emerge
Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, has announced that the sport has a 'contingency plan' in case the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix cannot be staged this season.
The 2026 season was initially due to be ran over a 24-race calendar, but that was reduced to 22 after Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the conflict between Iran and both the United States and Israel.
The FIA have not announced any replacement races, though the Mayor of Imola, Marco Panieri, said that his circuit would be 'ready' to host a Grand Prix if the FIA made contact.
The popular Turkish Grand Prix, held at Istanbul Park, will make its permanent return to the calendar from 2027.
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It has previously been reported that both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia could potentially return to the calendar if the situation in the Middle East eases over the coming months, though there are few gaps in the schedule.
The conflict has raised doubts over the running of Qatar and Abu Dhabi on November 29 and December 6 - though, naturally, if a gap was to open up there, it is to be expected that the situation involving Bahrain and Saudi Arabia would not have changed.
Speaking to French outlet L'Equipe, former Ferrari team principal Domenicali has explained that F1 has a 'contingency plan' in place if more cancellations are necessary.
And the Italian adds that there are alternative Grands Prix that could be staged if required.
He states that the Las Vegas Grand Prix, the third-to-last race due to be held on November 22, will not be the final race of the season - effectively guaranteeing that at least 21 races will be held.
"Promoters in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are already selling tickets, and sales are going very, very well," Domenicali explained.
"But there will come a time when we have to make decisions, because it's not like a football match where there are only two teams, 22 players, and where substitutions are easy.
"For us, there's the logistical complexity, the costs.
"I can confirm that we have a contingency plan. And if the two end-of-year races cannot take place because the war is not over, we will have other alternatives."
What gaps are in the F1 schedule?
Following F1's return from their summer break, there are a number of gaps in the schedule - though any replacement races would have to be placed in the European stint until the end of September.
The two-week gap between the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix between September and October has previously been reported as being an option floated by F1 bosses.
From there, there is another gap of two weeks between Singapore and the US Grand Prix in Austin.
The final slot would be November 15, between the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos and the Las Vegas Grand Prix, which is being held on a Saturday night.
Ryan Smart