Amid escalating geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East, Formula 1 has prepared a backup plan that could see the 2025 world championship conclude on European soil if scheduled season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are forced to be canceled, series CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed.
Domenicali, speaking to Formula 1’s official media platform following the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasized that as of now, both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remain locked into the current calendar. No final decision on the fate of the two races, which are scheduled for November and December to close out the campaign, will be made until mid-September at the earliest.
“If the situation will not be cleared the way that we believe it should be, before the middle of September, we will take the decision,” Domenicali said. “And in that respect, I just want confirm to you that if this will not be possible, that the end of the season would be in Europe.” Domenicali declined to share specific details of potential alternative European venues should the Middle East races be scrapped.
This is not the first time Formula 1 has adjusted its calendar in response to Middle East geopolitical tension. Earlier in the season, the series canceled planned races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia over safety concerns linked to regional conflict, rescheduling the Bahrain Grand Prix to take place at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia on October 4.
Looking ahead to the 2027 season, Domenicali noted that the planned 24-race calendar, which is set to be officially announced in the autumn, is progressing according to a standard schedule. Even so, the series has already begun developing alternate options in the event that the regional conflict remains unresolved by then. Regardless of any adjustments, Domenicali reaffirmed that Formula 1 remains committed to hosting 24 Grands Prix in 2027, matching the planned number of races for the upcoming season.
The Hungarian Grand Prix marked the final event before Formula 1’s annual mid-season break. Racing is set to resume on August 23 with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. In the drivers’ championship, rising young star Kimi Antonelli holds a commanding 50-point lead over seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton as the series enters the break.