Imola Could Return to the F1 Calendar in Place of the Qatar or Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Formula 1 may be forced to make a decision about the final races of the 2026 season as the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States continues to destabilise the Middle East and cast doubt over the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. An unexpected alternative has reportedly emerged, with Italy potentially preparing to host a second race on the 2026 F1 calendar.
Could Imola host the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix?
The 2026 Formula 1 World Championship is scheduled to conclude with the Qatar Grand Prix on 29 November. However, the race may not take place at its usual venue, Lusail International Circuit. Instead, the event could reportedly be moved to the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit in Imola.
The possibility of Imola deciding the 2026 world championship is considered realistic, although several logistical and weather-related issues would need to be resolved.
A decision is expected by 15 September, between the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Formula 1 will need to determine whether the final two scheduled races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi can go ahead. Qatar is due to host its race on 29 November, followed by Abu Dhabi on 6 December.
Instability in the Gulf remains a concern, with the United States and Iran yet to reach a definitive agreement regarding the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. With time running out, the organisational window for making changes to the 2026 calendar is rapidly closing.
Imola could return to the F1 calendar
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali is reportedly working to find a suitable way to conclude the 2026 championship. One possibility is moving either the Qatar or Abu Dhabi race to Imola, following the same principle that is expected to see the Bahrain Grand Prix take place at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit on 4 October.
The plan would give Imola back the race it lost in 2023 after floods devastated the surrounding region. If the proposal goes ahead, Qatar could provide the budget for the event, with the promoter handling the entire promotional campaign. Race operations would be entrusted to ACI and Formula Imola, the company responsible for the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit.
Under this arrangement, sponsorship revenue and grandstand ticket sales would go to the Middle Eastern promoter, while Imola would be reimbursed for the costs of organising the race.
The proposal could satisfy all sides. Qatar, like Bahrain, would retain its place on the Formula 1 calendar, while Liberty Media would ensure that the season includes 22 races. That would help F1 avoid potentially substantial penalties from television broadcasters whose agreements refer to a 22-event championship.
Imola would return to the calendar unexpectedly, while Geronimo La Russa, president of ACI Italy, would benefit from a second world championship race on Italian soil without having to fund the event. For Domenicali, it would provide an effective way to resolve the calendar situation.
The teams have reportedly made provisional hotel bookings in the Imola area as a precaution.
Fog could create a major Imola problem
The Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit would face a significant challenge if it hosted a race at the end of November: the risk of poor weather. The main concern would not be cold temperatures or rain, but fog.
Fog could prevent the helicopters responsible for circuit safety from flying, bringing track activity to a standstill. With daylight hours becoming shorter, the event schedule would also need to be revised if the Qatar Grand Prix moved to Emilia-Romagna. Qualifying and the race would likely be brought forward to reduce the risk of darkness affecting the event.
For now, the proposal remains confidential and has not been officially discussed. The hope is that US president Donald Trump will find a definitive solution to end the conflict he started with Iran. However, Italian fans would be excited by the prospect of the championship battle between Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli and Ferrari being decided on home soil.
Source: www.motorsport.com
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