Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the 2026 season finale will take place in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit as originally planned. Despite reports suggesting a potential move to a European venue due to Middle East conflicts, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated the commitment to the existing calendar, stating that preparations are on track. This decision provides certainty for the motorsport calendar, even as other regional races, like those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, have been impacted by security situations. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been a significant season-ending event since 2009, and the upcoming race week will also feature a lineup of high-profile concerts.

Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the 2026 season finale will take place in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit as originally planned. Despite reports suggesting a potential move to a European venue due to Middle East conflicts, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated the commitment to the existing calendar, stating that preparations are on track. This decision provides certainty for the motorsport calendar, even as other regional races, like those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, have been impacted by security situations. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been a significant season-ending event since 2009, and the upcoming race week will also feature a lineup of high-profile concerts.

Formula 1 has officially confirmed that the 2026 season finale will take place in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit as originally planned. Despite reports suggesting a potential move to a European venue due to Middle East conflicts, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali reiterated the commitment to the existing calendar, stating that preparations are on track. This decision provides certainty for the motorsport calendar, even as other regional races, like those in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, have been impacted by security situations. The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been a significant season-ending event since 2009, and the upcoming race week will also feature a lineup of high-profile concerts.

Amid speculation that the 2026 championship will end in Europe, considering the conflict in the Middle East, F1 has confirmed that the season will end in Abu Dhabi as planned.

The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place at Yas Marina Circuit from 4 to 6 December, according to reports.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula One, said preparations to host the season finale in Abu Dhabi are progressing according to plan, reaffirming the championship’s commitment to the scheduled calendar. Earlier, there were reports that the 2026 championship will end in Europe if the conflict in the Middle East makes it impossible to hold the season-closing races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. A final decision would be made by the "middle of September", Domenicali told reporters.

However, during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend at Zandvoort,  Domenicali confirmed that the venue is definitely the UAE. “The calendar, as I said, is confirmed. Everything is progressing well,” he said, adding that Formula 1 remains focused on delivering the schedule announced at the beginning of the year.

The UAE has been hosting the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi  Grand Prix since 2009 and has established itself as one of the most prominent season-ending rounds on the Formula 1 calendar.

As per the schedule, Zara Larsson and Lewis Capaldi will open the After-Race Concert series on December 3, while Imagine Dragons will perform on Saturday 5 December. The race week will begin a little earlier with Andrea Bocelli at Etihad Arena on December 2, launching the new Yasalam Classics programme.

The confirmation also comes as the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian  Grands Prix were called off due to the security situation in the Middle East. The Bahrain race was later moved to Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, where it will be held on October 4.

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