Both Qatar and Abu Dhabi are still very keen to host the final two rounds on this year’s Formula 1 calendar in late November and early December, as originally planned, with each round having long been a sell-out. However, the ongoing tensions in the Middle East are making this highly questionable, and, as has long been rumoured within the Formula 1 paddock, the 2026 season finale looks increasingly likely to be held at the Imola circuit in northern Italy. However, significant contractual and financial hurdles still need to be overcome for this to happen.

The Imola track, which has no floodlighting, is long used to hosting European F1 rounds in the past, but never so late in the year when daylight hours are much shorter. As such, a much earlier start time than the 3pm norm would be necessary and the far colder temperatures would require heating for the pit garages and plenty of warm clothing for all concerned, including fans, team personnel and the media!

One massive plus side, apart from the safety of all concerned, would be the potential appearance of Italy’s young sporting hero, Kimi Antonelli, either as the newly crowned world champion or on the verge of becoming so. He was born and raised in nearby Bologna. On arrival in Azerbaijan for the latest round, both Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton had admitted that they have pretty much given up on any hope of becoming the 2026 champion after Antonelli had turned up with a mighty 81 point lead. This was set to reduce to 66 though following Saturday’s Grand Prix.

Meanwhile, the mercurial 20-year-old Italian reinforced his ongoing message that he feels he owes so much to Mercedes for giving him such an opportunity to shine and wants to win as much as possible for the team, while also not ruling out a potential future move to Ferrari. It is already very clear that the latter would simply love to have the fastest Italian racing driver in decades in one of their cars and the sooner the better! Career-wise, it may well be better for Antonelli to remain with Mercedes, but at some stage the lure of racing for the iconic outfit from Maranello could prove too much to resist and of course the related financials would be beyond his wildest dreams.



In other news, Formula 1 has revealed its 2027 calendar, which is set to retain the now standard number of annual Grands Prix (24) plus an increase in the number of supporting Sprint races from six to 10. Portugal’s Portimão circuit and Turkey’s track in Istanbul are due to return as F1 weekend hosts and, for the first time ever, Monaco is to hold a Sprint event as well as the traditional Grand Prix.

With Red Bull set to retain Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar as its drivers in 2027, news is still awaited about-the sister Racing Bulls line-up for next year, but it is highly likely that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will continue. As part of the latest Red Bull Junior Team, the 19-year-old Bulgarian, Nikola Tsolov, is currently impressing in Formula 2 and is patiently waiting in the wings for an opportunity to show what he can do at F1 level.



Elsewhere on the driver front, Audi is set to retain Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto for next season, while Haas seems likely to drop Esteban Ocon at the end of the current campaign, with the French pedaller indicating that he will be a free agent soon and is already looking for an alternative seat. Rafael Câmara, a 21-year-old Brazilian who currently races in F2, is a strong candidate to replace Ocon at Haas.



Also, it was announced, after the latest F1 Commission meeting held just prior to the Azerbaijani round, that, due to increased fuel flow rates being introduced with effect from the start of next season, Grand Prix race distances will be reduced slightly from 305km to 290km. This will mean the loss of two or three laps, depending on the length of each individual circuit.



Lastly, the former Red Bull team principal, Christian Horner, continues to sit on the sidelines of the Formula 1 world, awaiting a suitable opportunity to return to the sport which he still very much considers as unfinished business. Rumours persist that Ferrari’s senior management see him as the man who might ultimately lead the team back to championship successes. The iconic Italian outfit has become one of F1’s perpetual bridesmaids, having last won the Constructors’ title back in 2008 and its most recent Drivers’ title a year before that. Fred Vasseur is doing his best as the current team principal, but there seems to be a feeling that the title situation will remain unchanged under his leadership and that Horner, with a proven record as a man to bind a team together, manage its drivers well and repeatedly deliver multiple world titles on both fronts, is just the man they need.

Interestingly, Horner has indicated that he would break his vow only to return to F1 as a part owner and not just as a hired hand, as he was at Red Bull, for one team and one team only, namely Ferrari, should they come offering what he’s described as a “dream job.” Time will tell.