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Imola Emerges as Finale Alternative Amid Middle East Tensions
As Formula 1 is forced to seek alternatives for the 2026 season finale, Imola is increasingly coming into focus as a potential backup venue.
By Sanne Vermeer - 2026-07-25T07:56:31.000Z - 3 min read
Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran are casting a long shadow over the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. What began with the cancellation of Bahrain now appears to threaten the end-of-season races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as well. Formula 1 leaders are keeping the decision on these crucial closing rounds open as long as possible, but the necessity for a robust Plan B is clear.
Should events in the Middle East persist and the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi indeed fail to take place, the sport will seek a replacement following the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 21. The most obvious date for this is December 6, the original slot for Abu Dhabi. Such a solution, combined with a likely Malaysian GP to fill Bahrain's spot, should secure a 22-race season and thereby satisfy commercial obligations.
For a long time, Portimão, home of the Portuguese Grand Prix, was viewed as the most likely candidate for a December finale. The Algarve venue had proven F1-ready and the climate appeared favorable. Recently, however, doubts have surfaced. The circuit holds a two-year deal for 2027 and 2028 and aims to execute major infrastructure upgrades prior to that. A December race could severely delay these necessary works, putting its feasibility into question.
Against this backdrop, Imola has emerged as a serious option. The Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which fell off the calendar this year, boasts a rich history as a stand-in venue. During the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the circuit returned to the calendar after a fourteen-year absence, and it stepped in again in subsequent years, including as a replacement for the Chinese GP in 2022. A contract running through 2025 is already in place, which would simplify logistics.
However, hosting a Grand Prix in Imola in December presents distinct challenges, primarily due to the cold weather. With average daytime high temperatures of 7°C and a mean of 4°C, bringing tires up to proper operating temperature will be particularly difficult. This marks a significant contrast to previous late-season races held at the circuit in November.
Yet there is a certain logic behind an Italian season finale in 2026. That year, Kimi Antonelli could potentially be a title contender, and Ferrari could stand a genuine chance at the constructors' championship. Furthermore, Imola is the birthplace of F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, which would lend added symbolic significance.
Calendar developments appear to be gathering pace. A swift decision regarding Bahrain is on the agenda, with a key tipping point being the upcoming ruling by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council. This weekend, the council will decide on two WEC races in the Middle East—specifically Qatar and Bahrain. These decisions, taken primarily on safety grounds, will undoubtedly shape Formula 1's own trajectory regarding its Middle Eastern rounds.