“Bring snow chains and hand warmers” if Formula 1 moves final race to Imola | Formula 1

1st Oct 2026

Formula 1 drivers expect unusually cold conditions if the series moves its final round to Imola in Italy.

The championship is weighing whether its final two events in the Middle East can take place as the war between Iran and the USA continues.

Formula 1 cancelled its two April rounds in the Middle East, which were due to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The former event is taking place this weekend but has been relocated 6,000 kilometres away to Sepang in Malaysia.

If F1 does abandon its plans to race in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, the series is expected to arrange a single replacement round at Imola. The series previously raced at the track in November six years ago, but a potential December finale could be held in very cool conditions.

“I think we should bring the snow chains and the hand warmers,” said Haas’s Oliver Bearman. “Let’s see how it goes, but it will definitely be cold if we’re in Imola in December. I was living close by for a good few years and in winter it’s definitely cold. You know about it.”

Some teams have already tested at the circuit this year, including Racing Bulls, which is based nearby. “It’ll be a bit colder than Abu Dhabi,” said the team’s driver Arvid Lindblad.

“In the end we’ll do whatever F1 thinks is best. I know they’re managing it. I don’t know all the ins and outs of what’s happening, but I’ve heard that Imola is the back-up.

“It will get a bit darker a bit earlier, but I think there’s still enough hours for us to drive fine, so I don’t think that would be an issue. It’ll just be a bit cold, maybe wet.”

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F1 has already raced in Italy once this year. The country has recently changed its tax arrangements for elite athletes, but Max Verstappen does not expect this or the weather will cause a problem for drivers.

“There are worse places to be in the wintertime than in Imola,” he said. “Yes, it’s a little bit colder than in the summer, it gets darker a bit sooner, but I think we’re all clever enough to make sure that we don’t drive in the dark.

“And there is no tax issue. You just have to pay tax.”

F1 held the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola between 2020 and 2025, except in 2023 when flooding forced its cancellation.