Formula 1 still to decide on Qatar and Abu Dhabi as FIA WEC replace Middle East rounds
The final two rounds of the2026 FIA World Endurance Championship(WEC) have been moved from Qatar and Bahrain amid continuing security concerns in the Gulf region, whileFormula 1wait to decide on their two. . .
The final two rounds of the2026 FIA World Endurance Championship(WEC) have been moved from Qatar and Bahrain amid continuing security concerns in the Gulf region, whileFormula 1wait to decide on their two final races. Barcelona will stage a FIA WEC six-hour race on October 18, while Monza will host the endurace series season finale on November 8. The changes add further uncertainty around Formula 1’s scheduled visits to Qatar and Abu Dhabi later this year. Qatar’s 1,812km WEC race at Lusail was originally scheduled to open the season on March 28. It was postponed until October 24 following the outbreak of war involving Iran. That event has now been replaced by the inaugural Six Hours of Barcelona at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Monza, which previously hosted the WEC before Imola joined the calendar, will replace Bahrain as the championship’s final round. WEC chief executive Frederic Lequien said: “We have been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East over recent months. A few weeks ago, we were optimistic about being able to race in Qatar and Bahrain, but unfortunately, the present situation obliges us to switch to an alternative plan. “Logistically, it was imperative to take this decision now to allow manufacturers, teams and the FIA WEC organisation to make all necessary arrangements,” Lequien explained. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said every available option had been considered before the two Gulf events were removed. However, he stressed that the safety of teams, officials and spectators remained the governing body’s primary concern. Formula 1 final races uncertainBahrain International Circuit chief executive Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa accepted the decision despite the disappointment of losing the WEC finale: “Whilst we are naturally disappointed not to be hosting the pinnacle of world endurance racing in 2026, we support the decision, which is in the best interests of all involved. "Bahrain’s Formula 1 Grand Prix, cancelled in April, has already beenrelocated to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuitfor October 4. Qatar remains scheduled to host the penultimate Formula 1 round on November 29, with Abu Dhabi set to stage the finale on December 6. The WEC changes will inevitably intensify speculation over whether those races can proceed as planned. Imola is considered the leading alternative should Formula 1 require a replacement venue for its season finale. The Italian circuit would offer a commercially attractive solution. It is a home race for Ferrari and lies close to Bologna, the hometown of Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli. For now, Formula 1’s Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds remain on the calendar. But endurance racing’s withdrawal from the Gulf underlines how quickly the 2026 motorsport schedule may still change.