from MOGYOROD (HUNGARY)
A B-plan for the constantly changing season finale. The Formula 1 paddock is buzzing at the Hungaroring, with intensifying speculation about the possible setup of the second part of the calendar of Formula 1 2026. And among the “new” proposals the name of Imola sensationally reappears.
Following confirmed rumors about negotiations for the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 4th instead of the new date set for Bahrain, new possible scenarios emerge should the last two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi be cancelled.
Why Imola is being reconsidered
As also reported by The Race, Imola once again represents a plausible hypothesis should the war between Iran and the United States not reach a definitive conclusion. Formula 1 is trying to take as much time as possible to reach a definitive decision, but it is inevitable to come up with a concrete backup plan to reach the threshold of 22 Grand Prix imposed by television contracts.
With Malaysia slotting in between Baku and Singapore, it remains to be seen which circuit will host the season finale after the Las Vegas Grand Prix at the end of November. Until a few days ago, Portimão seemed the most logical choice for the December finale, mainly due to a favorable climate for such a late race in Europe, but the picture seems complex to implement.
Read more Volkswagen, profit collapses. The industrial future worries
The Algarve facility is undergoing various modernization works in view of the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix for 2027 and 2028. Hosting an event at the end of the year would risk excessively delaying these interventions, which is why doubts about Portimão have grown in recent hours.
It is in this context that Imola seems to be strongly back in the running as a concrete alternative to close the 2026 season, despite the climate and short days in Emilia-Romagna being anything but favorable for holding a Grand Prix…
