F1 season to end in Qatar, Abu Dhabi as scheduled

LONDON Formula ​One will end its season in West Asia as scheduled ‌with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the Liberty Media-owned ​sport said on Tuesday with Italy’s Imola circuit ⁠no longer required as a backup option. The teams competing in the championship have been informed of the decision, with Formula One saying all 11 ‌were supportive.

The move comes after MotoGP held its Qatar round at the Lusail circuit near Doha last weekend. Both Formula ‌One championships have been decided, with 20-year-old Italian Kimi ‌Antonelli ⁠taking the drivers’ title as youngest ever champion in ⁠Mexico this month and his Mercedes team completing the double in Brazil last Sunday.

Imola was a fallback option, pencilled in for December 6 should the Iran war ​and regional conflict make ‌it unsafe for Formula One to complete its calendar of Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi the weekend after. Home venue The Italian circuit — a home venue for Antonelli and also for ‌Ferrari — had a cutoff point, however, and local organisers were ​informed of the decision on Tuesday.