F1 2026 finale fallback reported as Imola

BBC Sport reported Imola is the likely European fallback if Qatar or Abu Dhabi cannot run, while RaceFans said no relocation call is imminent.

BBC Sport reported that Formula 1 has identified Europe as the fallback for the end of the season if the Qatar or Abu Dhabi Grands Prix cannot be held. The outlet said comments from F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali pointed to Imola as the likely venue in that scenario, but no replacement race has been announced.

RaceFans separately reported that FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem said the governing body would not rush into cancelling or relocating the final two races unless required. That leaves the current end-of-season plan unchanged for now, with Imola framed as a contingency rather than a confirmed calendar switch.

Elsewhere on the calendar, Autosport reported that Madrid is set for a 10-year spell hosting the Spanish Grand Prix, with Barcelona moving to a biennial role. As things stand, those reports suggest Formula 1 is weighing backup options at the end of the year while also shaping its longer-term venue plan.