Formula 1 Could Be Won by Email in 2026
Mercedes F1 car racing through Circuit Gilles Villeneuve corner | Image Credit: Artem Onoprienko - stock.adobe.com
2026 in F1 has been one of the sport’s most turbulent seasons for years. From the chaos of new regulations, constant DNFs, emergency software updates, broken speed cameras, a podium that took 3 months to decide, a Bahrain race held in Malaysia, stewarding controversies and grid penalties galore – the pinnacle of motorsport was plunged into chaos this year. Despite all of that, the biggest shock may be yet to come…
The driver who has defined this year is Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes prodigy who shocked everyone by taking the lead of the Drivers’ Championship and running away with it, currently sitting 123 points ahead of 2nd place, George Russell. This means that, with 5 races left, he could claim the title at the next race in Mexico. However, in a worst-case scenario for the sport, he may clinch the title before even touching down in North America, because two races might not even happen: Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
As you may be aware, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s races earlier this year were cancelled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East (which is why Bahrain faced a temporary relocation to Malaysia), and since then, the question has remained on whether Qatar and Abu Dhabi will face the same fate. In fact, Imola in Italy is fully willing to host the season finale if the races are cancelled. Now, considering that the Middle East is still being frequently bombed, you’d think this would be obvious. However, as it stands, the races are set to go ahead.
Why?
Well, interestingly, if Formula 1 were to decide to cancel the races, they would lose the promoter’s fees. But if the race organisers decide to cancel the race, then they don’t. Don’t worry though, this is Formula 1, so I’m sure that money won’t get in the way of any important practical or ethical concerns. (On a completely unrelated note, is anyone excited for the African Grand Prix in Rwanda?)
Personally, I don’t see a world in which these races go ahead. The war isn’t showing any signs of slowing down and, since miracles don’t exist (I’m an Oscar Piastri fan, I’d know), that’s probably not going to change any time soon. And with under 5 weeks to go until the Abu Dhabi GP is scheduled to take place, I’m not fully certain there’s enough time to set Imola up as a replacement.
Maybe Antonelli should start checking his inbox.
Words by Harley Thompson