Qatar Grand Prix 2026 Will Go Ahead, FIA President Says

The Qatar Grand Prix 2026 is still on. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on 21 October 2026 that Formula 1's final two races, Qatar at Lusail on 29 November and Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina on 6 December, "are going to happen", according to reports from GRANDPRIX247 and GPblog (which was relaying The Race). Neither race has been moved or cancelled, and no official calendar change has been announced.

What did the FIA president say about the Qatar Grand Prix 2026?

Ben Sulayem was speaking at the opening of the FIA's new Remote Operations Centre in Biggin Hill, England. Asked whether the Gulf was safe enough for the finale, he said the races will go ahead, while admitting he cannot predict what happens next. Paraphrasing the two reports: the FIA will not send staff, drivers or officials anywhere it considers risky, and he personally feels comfortable with both host countries. He also said his family lives in the UAE and that, in his view, media coverage does not match what he sees on the ground.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali attended the opening but, according to GRANDPRIX247, did not speak to reporters. He had previously confirmed the calendar is unchanged.

Why is anyone asking?

Because this season has already lost races to the region's conflict. GPblog notes that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled in April 2026 because of the Middle East conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. The Bahrain date was later rescheduled and run as the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang on 4 October 2026. GRANDPRIX247 adds that other sport has been hit too: the World Rally Championship round in Saudi Arabia, planned for 11 to 14 November, was cancelled, and the Dakar Rally in January 2027 faces questions over its route.

Is there a backup plan for the finale?

Sort of, and that is the interesting part. Ben Sulayem said the FIA has contingency arrangements if some of its officials cannot travel, including another team ready to step in. Asked whether Imola in Italy could host the finale if it came to it, he said the FIA is always prepared. That is a reassurance about preparation, not an announcement. Neither F1 nor the FIA has said Imola is on the table.

Our read: a president saying the race will happen is the starting point of every calendar story, not the end of one. What would actually change the picture is a joint statement from F1 and the FIA, or a change to travel advice for teams. Until then, treat the dates as live and the backup as paperwork.

What happens next?

Round 18, the United States Grand Prix in Austin, comes first on 25 October 2026, followed by Mexico City on 1 November, Brazil on 8 November and Las Vegas on 22 November. The Qatar Grand Prix 2026 is round 22 of 23. Check the standings to see how much of the championship could still be undecided by then, browse our news archive, and keep the telemetry page handy for the season's pace data. If you play along, your picks for the remaining rounds are open in Predictions.

Reporting note: the quotes and context above come from two outlets dated 21 October 2026. We have not seen an FIA press release. If either race is moved, this post will be updated.