F1 Considers Imola as Replacement for Middle East Race

F1 Considers Imola as Replacement for Middle East Race: Full Analysis

Formula 1 (F1) is evaluating the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, as a potential replacement venue for either the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix or the 2026 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, following the earlier decision to move the Bahrain Grand Prix to Sepang, Malaysia. This decision, reported by Motorsport.com and Careta, stems from ongoing geopolitical instability involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. The sport's governing body and Liberty Media have set a deadline of 15 September 2026 to finalise the calendar, aiming to preserve the 22-race season and avoid contractual penalties with broadcasters.

Key Facts

The F1 2026 calendar faces a mid-season reshuffle, with the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia already confirmed as a replacement for Bahrain on 4 October 2026, and Imola now the frontrunner to replace a Middle East race in late November or early December.

The confirmation of the Sepang race on 4 October 2026 provides Malaysian fans a rare home event, while the potential Imola shift would not directly affect Malaysian circuits but would alter the F1 calendar's end-of-season geography.

Why Is Imola Being Considered to Replace a Middle East F1 Race?

Imola is being considered because the security situation in the Persian Gulf region—specifically the unresolved US-Iran negotiations over shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz—has made the original Qatar and Abu Dhabi race slots untenable. According to the source, F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali is seeking solutions to complete the 2026 season as planned.

The plan mirrors the Bahrain-to-Sepang move. If Qatar's 29 November slot is transferred, Imola would host the race on that same date and could become the venue for the 2026 F1 World Championship title decider. The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari has the infrastructure and history to step in, having hosted races in 2020 and prior years.

"Jika GP Qatar dipindahkan, Imola akan menganjurkan perlumbaan pada 29 November dan berpotensi menjadi lokasi penentuan kejuaraan dunia F1 2026."

— Qalif Latif, Careta (28 August 2026), translated: "If the Qatar GP is moved, Imola will host the race on 29 November and could potentially become the venue for the 2026 F1 world championship decision."

As of 28 August 2026, no final decision has been made, and F1 has until 15 September 2026 to confirm whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed or if one will be relocated to Imola.

How Will the Qatar Grand Prix Maintain Its Calendar Slot if the Race Moves?

If Imola takes over the race date, Qatar will retain its official Grand Prix slot in the F1 calendar, but the event will be physically held in Italy, with the Qatari promoter funding the operation and keeping sponsorship and ticket revenue.

Under the proposed arrangement, the entire promotional campaign would be managed by the Qatari organiser. The operational side—running the track weekend—would be delegated to the Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI) and Formula Imola, the company managing the circuit. This structure allows Qatar to keep its branding on the calendar while shifting logistics to a safer location.

Key financial terms include:

• Sponsorship and grandstand ticket sales revenue belong to the Middle East promoter.
• Imola receives a hosting fee to cover race organisation costs.
• Liberty Media avoids dropping the race count below 22, preventing broadcast rights penalties.

This financial model is designed to preserve the commercial value of the Middle East slot while ensuring the race can be held in a stable European environment.

Have F1 Teams Already Booked Hotels Near Imola for the Potential Race?

Yes, F1 teams have reportedly made provisional hotel bookings in the Imola area as a precautionary measure, indicating that the move is being taken seriously at the operational level.

The source states that the likelihood of Imola returning to the calendar has increased, evidenced by these temporary reservations. The Imola circuit previously returned to F1 in 2020, but the 2023 race was cancelled due to severe flooding in the Emilia-Romagna region. This history highlights both the circuit's capability and the environmental risks associated with the venue.

If the plan proceeds, Italy would gain an additional F1 race in 2026 without ACI Italy needing to secure its own budget for a new slot, as the Qatari promoter would fund the event.

What Are the Weather Challenges of Hosting an F1 Race at Imola in Late November?

Hosting a race at Imola in late November presents significant weather risks, including low temperatures, rain, and particularly thick fog that could ground safety helicopters and force session stoppages.

The source explicitly identifies fog as the primary concern. Medical and safety helicopters must be operational throughout track activity; if fog prevents flights, sessions cannot continue. Additionally, shorter daylight hours in late November mean the race weekend schedule would need adjustment, with qualifying and the race starting earlier in the day to mitigate the risk of worsening weather and darkness.

While the Sepang circuit in Malaysia offers predictable tropical heat, Imola in late autumn offers unpredictable European conditions, making schedule flexibility a critical operational requirement.

Who Is This For in Malaysia?

This news is most relevant for Malaysian F1 fans who plan to attend the Sepang International Circuit race on 4 October 2026, as well as for local broadcast viewers following the title fight's geographic shift.

For Malaysian attendees, the Sepang race represents a rare home event. The circuit, located in Sepang, Selangor, is well-adapted for tropical weather (typically hot and humid), unlike Imola's cold November climate. Malaysian fans should note that the potential Imola move does not affect the Sepang race date but could change which drivers and teams are fighting for the championship at the Malaysian event.

Local considerations include:

• Ticket purchases for the 4 October Sepang race should be confirmed directly with the circuit operator.
• Travel plans for Malaysian fans wishing to attend a European race in November would require different preparation (winter clothing) compared to Malaysian conditions.
• The 240V power standard and UK-style plugs used in Malaysia are irrelevant to race operations but relevant to Malaysian fans travelling to Italy, which uses a different plug type (Type F/L).

For Malaysian viewers, the key date remains 4 October 2026 at Sepang, with the Imola decision impacting the season's conclusion in late November.

Common Questions

Will the Sepang F1 race on 4 October 2026 be affected by the Imola decision?

No, the Sepang race on 4 October 2026 is confirmed as the replacement for Bahrain and is not affected by the Imola discussions. The Imola decision concerns only the later Qatar or Abu Dhabi slots in November and December.

How likely is it that Imola will host a race on 29 November 2026?

The likelihood is significant, given that F1 teams have already made provisional hotel bookings near Imola. However, no final decision is made; F1 has until 15 September 2026 to decide. The plan depends on the security situation in the Middle East.

Who gets the ticket revenue if the Qatar GP is moved to Imola?

The Qatari promoter retains all sponsorship and grandstand ticket sales revenue, even though the race is physically held in Italy. Imola receives a fixed hosting fee to cover organisation costs, and Qatar keeps its calendar slot.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Careta article "Selepas Sepang, F1 Pertimbang Imola Gantikan Perlumbaan Di Timur Tengah" by Qalif Latif, published on 28 August 2026. The source itself cites a report from Motorsport.com. All dates, statistics, and quotes are drawn directly from this material. No additional external sources were used.

The original Malay-language text was translated into English (British spelling) by the editor. Currency conversions were not required as the source does not list prices or costs. All proper nouns—including circuit names (Sepang, Lusail, Yas Marina, Imola), the governing body (ACI), and companies (Liberty Media, Formula Imola)—are preserved.

This article was last updated on [current date]. Information specific to Malaysia was verified against the Careta source, which confirms the Sepang race date of 4 October 2026.