The continuation of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remains uncertain. For Frédéric Vasseur, this wait is starting to pose a real problem for the teams.
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The uncertainty surrounding the end of the 2026 season is beginning to become problematic for the Formula 1 teams. Due to the conflict currently opposing the United States and Iran in the Middle East, the continuation of the last two rounds scheduled in Qatar and Abu Dhabi is still not guaranteed.
Stefano Domenicali has already indicated that no decision will be made before mid-September. Formula 1 might even wait until early October before making a final decision, hoping to maintain two of the most lucrative events on the calendar.
An end of the season still completely uncertain
In case the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are canceled, Domenicali also specified that the championship should end in Europe and not in Las Vegas. Imola currently appears as the main candidate to host this possible finale.
But waiting so long before making a decision poses several difficulties for the teams. Frédéric Vasseur notably believes that the budget cap issue could quickly become decisive, as travel to the Middle East represents a considerable expense.
“The budget cap could be a more delicate point, because the cost required to go and compete in two races in Abu Dhabi and Qatar is enormous,” explains the Ferrari director.
Millions that could be invested elsewhere
If these two races were to disappear from the calendar, the teams could reallocate a significant part of their budget to other areas, notably to the development of their cars.
“If we don’t go, we might be able to spend that money elsewhere, in development or something else. That’s true for us, but also for everyone,” emphasizes Vasseur.
In a championship subject to a strict budget cap, this difference can have direct consequences on development programs. Teams therefore need to know early enough whether they must keep several million to organize travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi or if these resources can be used otherwise.
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Vasseur sets September as the deadline
Beyond the financial aspect, logistics also impose a deadline. Teams must ship part of their equipment in advance to the Middle East, which makes indefinite waiting impossible.
“At some point, we will have to make a decision. For everyone and for logistical reasons, we will have to collectively decide in September, because we will have to send the equipment to the Middle East and we will no longer be able to postpone the deadline,” warns the Frenchman.
Vasseur therefore believes that a decision made during September would still leave enough time for teams to properly organize the last part of the championship.
“That should probably be enough to manage the last six or seven races after September.”
The budget cap at the heart of the problem
Vasseur is, however, less concerned about managing power unit components. Even if the final number of races could drop from 23 to 22, or even be further reduced depending on decisions made, Ferrari believes it can manage its technical allocations accordingly.
The real issue therefore mainly concerns the large sums currently reserved for the two Middle East trips. The longer the decision is delayed, the more teams must keep these resources available instead of being able to invest them in development.
Formula 1 naturally wants to wait as long as possible in the hope that the situation will allow organizing the two Grands Prix. But for Ferrari, this wait can soon no longer be extended.
Before thinking about this still uncertain end of the season, Ferrari is now preparing for its most important event of the year: the Italian Grand Prix, scheduled for September 6 at Monza.
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