Formula 1 have formally made the decision to finish the 2026 season as planned despite having Imola on standby to host the season finale if needed be due to the unpredictability of the ongoing tensions in the middle east.
Earlier in the season, Formula 1 had to cancel both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix's due to the ongoing safety concerns.
At the time there were plans to reschedule them throughout the calendar but never eventuated as it was near impossible to host an event at their suited tracks.
The Bahrain Grand Prix did take place but at the alternate venue of the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia as the result of an unprecedented deal between the kingdom and the Sepang track.
With tensions and conflict still persisting in the Middle East, there were fears that the end of the season would not play out as planned.
There was growing speculation that if the recent Qatar MotoGP event did not run accordingly, Formula 1 would've pulled the pin on both the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix's - both Formula 1 and MotoGP share the same owners, Liberty Media.
Both the Factory Yamaha and Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP teams pulled out of that event due to the company's global travel policy and are now reportedly facing either financial or sporting penalty as a result - no F1 teams are tasked with the same restrictions.
With the Championship already wrapped up, Imola would've been the perfect homecoming for national hero Kimi Antonelli as he became the first Italian to win the drivers championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
This decision does not guarantee the certainty of the Grand Prix's - as if hostilities escalate once again the events will be facing cancellation with no replacement.
Formula 1's season finishes with a triple header of races in Las Vegas on November 22, Qatar on November 30 and Abu Dhabi on December 7 (AEDT).
