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Formula One is prepared to wait before deciding whether the current season can conclude in the Middle East.
The championship is scheduled to finish with consecutive rounds in Qatar on 29 November and Abu Dhabi a week later.
Imola has been put on standby to host the season finale if the Middle Eastern races cannot go ahead due to the United States-Iran conflict.
A decision finalising the status of the remaining races had been anticipated by the middle of this month.
However, it is understood there is no fixed timeline or hard deadline in place, and tickets for both events remain on sale.
The F1 season may not finish in the Middle East (Getty)
Next year’s calendar is expected to be announced later this week, potentially on Wednesday, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia positioned to host the opening two rounds in March.
Both events were cancelled this year amid escalating violence in the region, though an unusual ‘Bahrain Grand Prix’ will take place next month at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit, south of Kuala Lumpur.
Clear anxiety remains around holding a major global sporting event in the Middle East.
Current Foreign Office advice from the UK states that the “situation remains unpredictable” and warns of “a risk of more attacks and unforeseen escalation”, though it no longer advises against travel to the region.
With Qatar and Abu Dhabi still officially listed on this year’s schedule, nine rounds remain.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took a significant step towards securing his first world title with victory in Madrid on Sunday.
The Italian benefitted from a Virtual Safety Car period that shattered Lando Norris’ hopes of a third win in four races, virtually ending his outside chance of defending his world crown.
Lando Norris was left disappointed after failing to win the Madrid Grand Prix (PA Wire)
Norris labelled the VSC a “stupid rule” and demanded adjustments to the timing of its deployment to ensure fairness for drivers.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen expects the issue to be discussed at the next drivers’ briefing in Azerbaijan in two weeks.
He said: “It is extremely painful for Lando to lose a win. Sometimes you might lose points (because of the VSC) but this time it cost him a win.
“That’s not nice, but a lot of drivers have had it in the past. Can it be better? Probably yes. We will talk about it in the next briefing and see if there is anything that can be done.”
