The CEO and President of Formula One, Stefano Domenicali, has confirmed an imminent deadline for the cancellation of the final two rounds of the 2026 calendar due to the war in Iran.
With the final pre-season test in Bahrain concluded, hostilities broke out between Iran, the United States, and Israel over the Islamist state’s actions in pursuing a nuclear weapon. The ensuing war continues today despite a ceasefire being announced back in May, with Iran attacking US military bases in Bahrain and across the Middle East in an attempt to force President Donald Trump’s hand.
Sepang Steps In to Fill the Void Left by Bahrain
The cancelled Bahrain Grand Prix will now be hosted in Malaysia, with F1 returning to Sepang for the first time since 2017. It will create a triple-header by slotting in between the rounds in Azerbaijan and Singapore.
The Hermann Tilke-designed circuit was on the F1 schedule from 1999 to 2017 and was a favourite among drivers for its fast, flowing nature and ample opportunities to overtake. However, it was not without its challenges, as the searing heat and humidity led F1 veteran Fernando Alonso to admit that one of his toughest physical racing experiences took place in Malaysia.
The Financial Factors Behind Malaysia’s Historic Departure
The Malaysian Grand Prix suffered from the rise in popularity of the Singapore event, which became known as the Monte Carlo of Asia, causing spectator numbers to dwindle at the Sepang circuit just a few hundred miles away. The races were scheduled back-to-back for transportation convenience, but Singapore became the main attraction, and the Malaysian government finally called time on the tens of millions they were spending to host the race.
The drop in races may prove to be a route back onto the F1 schedule, although the Malaysian government has stated this would require a major partner such as Petronas to underwrite the hosting fee. The Sepang circuit has retained its FIA Grade 1 license required to hold an F1 weekend, as the circuit has been well maintained and hosts a round of the MotoGP series each year.
F1’s Contractual Dilemma: The 22-Race Requirement
However, this announcement only solves one of F1’s Middle Eastern races, with the Saudi Grand Prix permanently cancelled for this season and the Qatar and Abu Dhabi events looking increasingly unlikely to occur.
F1 must deliver at least 22 rounds this year; otherwise, their contracts with global TV companies become ‘in breach.’ This would mean repaying potentially hundreds of millions back to the likes of Sky F1 and the rest of the world’s TV broadcasters who pay dearly for exclusive rights.
Further, the loss of revenue from three race weekends would hit F1 even harder in its corporate pockets, as Middle Eastern race promoters pay some of the highest hosting fees on the calendar. A decision must be made in the near future on whether to cancel the final two rounds of the year in Qatar and Abu Dhabi and find a replacement venue for at least one of these races to complete a 22-race schedule.
September Deadline Looms for European Finale
That deadline is looming large, according to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, and given the recent attacks on US bases in the region, any permanent resolution to the war seems a long way off.
Domenicali told assembled media in Budapest that a decision on whether to cancel the final two rounds this year is now slated for the middle of September, and contingency plans are underway for a replacement season finale.
Portimão was rumoured months ago as a potential candidate for a December end-of-season weekend due to its moderate climate on the western coastline of Europe. Yet with the Portuguese Grand Prix returning to the calendar next year, significant works were required to bring the circuit and its facilities up to standard.
Imola in the Frame as Middle East Doubts Persist
However, as TJ13 revealed last week, the race promoters from Portimão are uncertain whether the circuit will be in fit condition to host a last-minute race in December. The latest paddock rumours suggest that the iconic Imola circuit, which fell from the calendar this season, may be able to step in and host the final round of 2026.
However, the weather in Northern Italy is far more inclement at that time of year, with snow reported previously in the area in December. Domenicali had this to say on the issue:
“The way that we are structured is that we will take the maximum time for us to see how the situation will develop, and we will take the decision at the right time,” Domenicali told assembled media in Hungary.
“That moment will not be before the middle of September, so, for us today, the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are confirmed, and they are already sold out. That is an incredible sign of how much the sport is bigger than the problems that our world is living.
“But of course, if the situation is not clear the way that we believe it should be before the middle of September, we will take the decision. If it is not possible [to race in the Middle East], the end of the season will be in Europe, because we cannot go to other places, so the end eventually would be in Europe.
“The deadline for the decision on any change to the calendar is the middle of September. Before that, nothing will happen, and after that, if the situation does not give us the information we want to progress [with Qatar and Abu Dhabi], we will make a decision and inform where the European race will be hosted.
“Imola is in the basket, but it is not defined as Imola; it is an option.”
Freezing Weather and Licensing Obstacles
F1 appears to be clutching at straws with this latest proposal for a replacement race weekend, given the climate in Northern Italy averages around 4°C at that time of year.
One option would have been Jerez on the Iberian peninsula, although it is currently only rated Grade 2 by the FIA due to its ageing facilities and lack of run-off areas. Barcelona similarly is prone to snow and ice in December, so the search for the 2026 season finale continues.
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The Judge, a nom de plume of an experienced F1 journalist and site founder with long-standing sources across the paddock. With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
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