Formula 1 admits to finishing season in Europe. Can you come to Portugal?

Nthere is no end to the conflict in the Middle East, and the organization of the Formula 1 admits that the season can end in Europe. As decisions are not yet taken, the GPs of Qatar and Abu Dhabi are at risk. Portugal may not have an opportunity.

The announcement was made today by President and Executive Director Stefano Domenicali at a press conference.

“We'll make a decision at the appropriate timeNot before mid-September. If the situation does not become clearer, we will make a decision. And I just want to confirm that, if that if it proves impossible, the end of the season will happen in Europe, because we cannot go anywhere else”, if there is no way to go to the Persian Gulf, the leader said.

The GPs of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, scheduled for April, were cancelled in March without substitution, and uncertainty remains over the evidence of Qatar and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), while new attacks again took place today in the Middle East.

“There are several options on the tableBut I don't think it's right to make promises or anticipate a decision. So, if the situation does not allow us to go to the Middle East, we will finish the championship in Europe“, he reiterated.

The possibilities on the table

Information in paddock suggested the chance to perform an extra race in one of the circuits of the United States of America: Circuit of the Americasin Austin (Texas), or a second GP in Las Vegas (Nevada), the week following the one already scheduled for November 21, but Domenicali totally dispelled this possibility.

“We will not run another race in the United States,” he said, stressing that he does not intend to “break” the growth of the Las Vegas race, which premiered in 2023.

Italy in good standing, Portugal not so

Although the leader did not give any clues, the imola circuit (Italy), which was removed from the calendar this year, appears as the best place to welcome the last round of the season.

Already Portimão and Istanbul, who will return to the World Cup in 2027, are in renovation work and are not an immediate option.

The WEC example

The instability in the Persian Gulf region has already led other competitions to change plans, such as the World Resistance (WEC), which announced on Monday that replaced his final stages in Qatar and Bahrain with tests in Barcelona (Spain) and Monza (Italy).

Also the MotoGP Qatar GP, rescheduled for November, is threatened, as is the Saudi Arabian Rally, the last WRC race, scheduled for Jeddah in the same month – both still without final decision.