By: 29 November is an important date for the Formula 1 calendar and the season. It is the day on which the 2026 world championship could conclude with the Qatar Grand Prix, which, contrary to the logical expectation, would not take place at Losail but at Imola’s Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit. The prospect of the track on the banks of the Santerno deciding the 2026 world champion is far from remote, as has been understood for some time.
As is known, the decision must be made by 15 September, between the Spanish and Azerbaijan Grands Prix. By then, it will have to be known whether the final two races on the calendar will have to be withdrawn because of the instability in the Persian Gulf, where an agreement between the United States and Iran has yet to be found. In short, time is running out and the scope for making decisions is now limited.
Domenicali, quite the sponsor
As also shown live on television, Stefano Domenicali is doing everything possible to find a fitting conclusion to the 2026 championship. That is why the Qatar race could be moved to Imola, which could be handed back the race it lost in 2023 because of the flooding. Not only that, as the race would be staged thanks to the budget made available by Qatar: the promotion would be handled by the Qataris, while ACI and Formula Imola would be entrusted with running the event.
Sponsorship and ticket revenue would go to the Middle Eastern promoter, while Imola would be reimbursed for its organisational costs. Liberty Media would, in effect, secure a 22-race season, avoiding the risk of having to pay penalties to the television broadcasters holding F1 rights. For Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO, this would be an extraordinary operation which, for now, remains under the radar and is not being discussed officially by anyone. Also in the hope that Donald Trump finds a solution to end the conflict with Iran.
From Monza to Imola
Even without confirmation, teams have reserved hotels in the Imola area. Although the uncertainty of bad weather still hangs over the Santerno. The concern is not only the cold or rain, but also fog: safety helicopters would be unable to fly, bringing activity to a standstill. In that case, Imola’s timetable for the event would be revised, with qualifying and the race brought forward to avoid darkness.
And evidence of behind-the-scenes activity could be seen simply by observing what happened in the Monza paddock yesterday, where we were also present. At the Autodromo were, logically, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and ACI president Geronimo La Russa, as well as, less predictably, Imola mayor Marco Panieri and Enzo e Dino Ferrari director Pietro Benvenuti. Their presence as guests, one might say, was not unprecedented during the season, but it takes on a very different significance given that all the authorities were present at the same time, in light of what has been said and the approaching deadline for a final decision. It will not be long before it becomes clear whether hopes will become reality.
