Lewis Hamilton makes Middle East plea despite F1 cancellation plans
Hamilton is holding out for an Abu Dhabi season finale (Photo: Race Pictures)
15:45, 23 Sep
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Lewis Hamilton is still hopeful that the Formula 1 season can end in the Middle East.
GPblog understands those wishes stand little chance of coming to fruition, with team members told they won’t have to travel to Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Instead, Imola looks set to substitute in as the final race of the season.
For Hamilton, it’s not the outcome he was hoping for, as he was keen to make the trip over to West Asia.
Hamilton hopes F1 still travels to Middle East
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Speaking to GPblog and others at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he said: “I personally want to go. I love going to the Middle East.
“From what I've read, I think things seem okay out there. But, again, I don't have all the information, so I don't know what the risk levels are.
“But I trust in Stefano [Domenicali, F1 CEO] to make the right decision for the sport. But I do hope that we get to go there.”
Read also
Imola finale does not convince Hamilton
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Turning to the likely Imola finale, he added: “Finishing in winter in Imola might not be the best weather-wise, and also it's a beautiful track, but it's not a track that we're gonna be doing any overtaking on. So, the more races for me, the better.”
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were already removed from the 2026 calendar due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
However, Bahrain has since returned, but in name only, as it will take place at the Sepang International Circuit, south of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The track used to be a regular Formula 1 venue up to 2017, and despite only winning there once, Hamilton is delighted to be heading back.
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Hamilton delighted by F1 return to Malaysia
He commented: “I always loved going to KL. I had lots of great experiences there with my previous team; the track is awesome.
“It is, and it is a circuit that does give good racing. And when it comes to deciding which tracks to go through in the year, that should be a part of the decision-making.
“We want good races for fans, not ones that you don't see any overtaking in. So I'm very much welcoming it. I'm looking forward to it. Again, it's a super hot circuit. That’s gonna be one that's physically massively demanding, so I look forward to that challenge.”
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Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Overview
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
08:30 AM
Practice 2
12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
08:30 AM
Qualification
12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
11:00 AM
Thursday 24.09.26
Practice 1
Thu 08:30 AM
Practice 2
Thu 12:00 PM
Friday 25.09.26
Practice 3
Fri 08:30 AM
Qualification
Fri 12:00 PM
Saturday 26.09.26
Race
Sat 11:00 AM
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