Formula 1 released this week the calendar for the 2027 season and among the dates, races in the Middle East even with the uncertainty due to the ongoing war in the region. This brings a contradiction where there is no indication of a cancellation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs in 2026.
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Next year’s championship features 24 rounds and opens with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as the first two stops. The last two are Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
All four venues have long-term contracts with F1. However, this year, Sakhir and Jeddah had to be canceled due to the entire conflict, bringing a race in Malaysia next month serving as a substitute for the Bahrain GP.
Now, doubts revolve around the Qatar GP, which takes place on November 29, and the championship finale at the Abu Dhabi GP on December 6. Both remain on the calendar and tickets are being sold – among possible alternatives in Europe, Imola, Italy, is seriously considered.
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In July, Stefano Domenicali, F1 CEO, said a decision would be made by mid-September. “The deadline to decide on any possible change to the current calendar is mid-September.” However, no decision was made and last week, the executive said that F1 intends to proceed with the scheduled calendar.
Adding more ‘fuel to the fire’ of all the uncertainty, Formula 2 announced a full schedule for the Azerbaijan GP next week. The feeder series will bring a triple round to Baku, holding three races between Friday and Saturday – Sunday will have no activities due to Remembrance Day in the country.
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