The planned back-to-back Grand Prix events in Qatar and Abu Dhabi could be replaced with races in Europe if escalating conflict in Iran makes the Middle East a logistically or politically untenable location.
Formula 1’s 24-race calendar has already seen significant disruptions, with races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain pushed back indefinitely. The Bahrain race has been rescheduled to Malaysia.
The decision to alter the finale will be made in the autumn after the current mid-season break. While Formula 1 previously considered hosting a second race in Las Vegas, concerns over scheduling clashes with the NFL led to a preference for a European-based finale.
Domenicali, Formula 1’s president, emphasized the importance of preserving the value of the sport in these key markets, calling them 'a jewel that is growing.' He added that the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are 'confirmed' and 'already sold out,' a sign of the sport’s appeal despite global tensions.
However, he acknowledged that if the situation in Iran remains unresolved by mid-September, plans will shift. The calendar’s future may also see races in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Rwanda, and South Africa as the sport seeks global balance.