F1 Today | Red Bull faces Verstappen teammate call as Imola awaits calendar verdict

Formula 1 is expected to have a clearer picture after the Italian Grand Prix over the future of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races. Both remain officially on the 2026 calendar, but the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to cast doubt over whether they can take place. Stefano Domenicali previously indicated that a final decision would be made around mid-September, with Europe the preferred alternative should F1 be unable to travel to the region. Imola is among the options being seriously considered for a potential replacement race.

The uncertainty has increased following further US strikes on Iranian targets on Sunday, with the security situation in the region still far from stable. The conflict has already forced changes to this season's calendar, including the cancellation of the original Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events. F1 is therefore keeping alternative plans available, with more clarity expected in the week after Monza over whether Imola could feature in a revised end to the season.

Red Bull is expected to decide by Wednesday whether Isack Hadjar will return for the Italian Grand Prix, with the team keen to give the Frenchman as much time as possible to recover from his wrist injury. Hadjar missed Zandvoort as a result of the problem, prompting Liam Lawson to step up from Racing Bulls and race alongside Max Verstappen, while Yuki Tsunoda temporarily took Lawson's place at the sister team.

Lawson has remained available to Red Bull ahead of Monza in case Hadjar is not ready to return, and also completed a Pirelli tyre test at Mugello shortly after the Dutch Grand Prix. The final decision will depend on Hadjar's recovery over the next few days, but if he is unable to compete, Lawson is ready to remain alongside Verstappen for another weekend.