F2 CEO insists Qatar and Abu Dhabi finale will go ahead despite Iran war threat

Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel has moved to quash speculation that the 2026 season could be declared over early, insisting the championship’s closing rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will take place as scheduled despite the regional instability caused by the Iran war.

The conflict, triggered by United States and Israeli strikes in late February, has already forced significant changes to the F2 calendar. The series’ Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds were replaced by races in Miami and Montreal, while an additional race was added to the Baku schedule in late September — a move widely interpreted as contingency planning for further potential cancellations.

Formula 1 has also been preparing for disruption, with Imola understood to be on standby as a replacement venue for the first weekend of December should the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix prove unworkable. Despite that backdrop, Michel was unequivocal in his position.

“For the moment — and I think it’s completely clear — Qatar and Abu Dhabi are on the calendar, and we are going to finish the championship in Qatar and in Abu Dhabi,” Michel told Motorsport.com. “We’re following Formula 1 on that. Formula 1 is completely aware of all the situation and what needs to be done to make sure that we exercise those two races in the best conditions — which will be the case.”

The CEO’s comments came in direct response to a remark from American driver Colton Herta, who appeared uncertain after the Baku round whether any further racing remained on the schedule. “Unsure if that’s the last one or if we have more, but we’ll keep working like we have two more races to do,” Herta said.

When Michel was asked whether a champion could theoretically have been crowned retroactively in Baku — which would hand the title to current standings leader Rafael Camara — the CEO was equally firm in dismissal, reiterating that the season would be concluded at the planned venues.

“The drivers always have an opinion on a lot of things,” Michel said. “But I tell you now, we want to finish the season there for sure. That’s what Formula 1 is doing as well and that’s what we’re doing too.”

With three drivers still in contention for the 2026 title, the stakes heading into the Middle East finale remain high, and Michel’s insistence that the races will proceed gives the championship’s climax a clear stage — provided the broader geopolitical situation allows it.