Formula 1 today: Season finale stays in Qatar and Abu Dhabi

Formula 1 has called off Imola as a stand-in finale: the 2026 season is set to end in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as planned.

Start/finish straight and grandstands of the Lusail International Circuit in our 3D environment, without cars — Image: scene from our 3D replay (track template: 3D replay of the Qatar Grand Prix 2025)

Imola is not needed

Formula 1 decided on Tuesday to end the 2026 season as planned with the Qatar GP and the Abu Dhabi GP. Imola, which had been on standby as a replacement venue for the finale, has been called off.

The background is the Iran conflict, which had prompted the series to prepare a contingency plan. According to the-race.com, Imola would have taken over the final race on 6 December if the rounds in the Middle East had not been possible. A decision on larger spending on infrastructure was now due, and Formula 1 chose not to go ahead with it. Qatar is scheduled for 29 November, Abu Dhabi for 6 December.

According to crash.net, a Formula 1 spokesperson explained the move by saying that the situation in Qatar and Abu Dhabi had not deteriorated in recent months. Travel advice and insurance cover allow the trip, and the teams support the plan. Should the situation change, the series intends to reassess – safety takes priority. You can find the full 2026 calendar on our site.

Key facts

As of 11 November 2026, 07:05 UK · from our data at the time of publication

Titles

Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the 2026 world champion (decided at the Mexico City Grand Prix)youngest world champion since 1950: 20 years, 68 days on the day the title was decided (previously Sebastian Vettel in 2010: 23 years, 134 days)

Mercedes are the 2026 constructors' champions (decided at the Brazilian Grand Prix)

Standings after the Brazilian Grand Prix 2026

Drivers

1Andrea Kimi Antonelli390
2Max Verstappen279−111
3George Russell262−128
4Lewis Hamilton261−129
5Charles Leclerc249−141

Constructors

1Mercedes652
2Ferrari510−142
3Red Bull Racing415−237

Full standings →

Next sessionFri 20 Nov · 00:30 UKFree Practice 1: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026

Calendar →

Next raceSun 22 Nov · 04:00 UKLas Vegas Grand Prix 2026

Last raceBrazilian Grand Prix 2026 (8 November 2026)

1Lando NorrisMcLaren
2Max VerstappenRed Bull Racing
3Isack HadjarRed Bull Racing

In this article (9 entries)

Oliver BearmanHaas F1 Team · P13 in the standings, 23 points · 0 wins
Esteban OconHaas F1 Team · P16 in the standings, 7 points · 0 wins
Ryo HirakawaHaas F1 Team · P21 in the standings, 1 point · 0 wins
Rafael CâmaraHaas F1 Team · P25 in the standings, 0 points · 0 wins
MercedesP1 in the standings, 652 points · 12 wins · of which: Antonelli 390, Russell 262
FerrariP2 in the standings, 510 points · 2 wins · of which: Hamilton 261, Leclerc 249
Red Bull RacingP3 in the standings, 415 points · 3 wins · of which: Verstappen 279, Hadjar 122, Lawson 14
Haas F1 TeamP7 in the standings, 31 points · 0 wins · of which: Bearman 23, Ocon 7, Hirakawa 1
AudiP8 in the standings, 28 points · 0 wins · of which: Bortoleto 14, Hülkenberg 14

FIA: No further engine upgrades

On Tuesday, the FIA published the outcome of its third and final engine review of the year. Under the ADUO system, manufacturers with a performance deficit are allowed additional development of their power unit. This time, races 12 to 18 were assessed. According to fia.com, the gaps to the best internal combustion engine have changed, but no manufacturer is being granted any additional allowances.

That means the allocation from the first review stands: Mercedes has one additional upgrade for 2026 and one for 2027, while Audi, Ferrari and Honda each have two per year. According to motorsport-total.com, the power unit of Red Bull Racing is regarded as the benchmark and may therefore not be improved. The next review covers the first six races of the 2027 season.

Haas has reached the driver limit

At the Haas F1 Team, the choice of driver for the final races is getting tight. According to motorsport-total.com, the Sporting Regulations (Article B1.7.1) allow each team a maximum of four drivers per season in the races. With Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Ryo Hirakawa and Rafael Câmara, that number has been reached.

Câmara made his debut at the Brazilian GP. He started from P11 and finished 20th, two laps down. Haas has so far confirmed him only for that race and has ruled out a return for Ocon. That leaves only Câmara and Hirakawa in contention for the second seat. The regulations provide for an exception only in cases of force majeure.

What comes next

Next up is the Las Vegas GP. The first free practice session begins on Friday, 20 November, at 01:30 German time. The race starts on Sunday, 22 November, at 05:00.