F1 season set to finish in Middle East as Imola backup plan ruled out

Formula 1 has officially informed Imola that it will not be needed as a backup venue for the 2026 season finale, confirming the season will end with a triple-header in Las Vegas on November 21, Qatar on November 29, and Abu Dhabi on December 6. F1 had previously arranged Imola as a contingency for a December 6 race in case Middle East hostilities resumed after the U.S. midterms, with the Italian circuit having already begun constructing grandstands. The decision was influenced in part by MotoGP successfully holding its own race at the Qatar circuit the previous weekend without incident.