Formula 1 chiefs are proceeding with plans to hold the final two rounds of 2026 in the Middle East after a deadline to move one of the season-ending races to Italy passed.

F1 had to cancel races scheduled in April in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to conflict in the Middle East, which has continued throughout the year to cast doubt over the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

A contingency plan had been arranged for Imola to host a season-ending race in the first week of December, but those in charge at the Italian circuit were informed on Tuesday that it will not be needed, which confirms F1's intention to go ahead with the final two rounds as planned.

The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled for November 27-29, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix set to follow from December 4-6. The races complete a triple-header that starts with the Las Vegas Grand Prix from November 20-22.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali has maintained throughout the season that the final races would be held at their scheduled venues unless the situation in the Middle East deteriorated.

The Italian has also insisted the safety of everyone involved in F1 remains his priority, and it is understood the sport's bosses wouldn't hesitate to cancel the races should the situation change over the coming weeks.

The sport's teams and drivers have repeatedly expressed trust in F1's judgement on the situation, and there has been no suggestion that any of the 11 squads are against completing the season as planned.

The season is set to fall just one short of it's original 24-race schedule, with the Bahrain Grand Prix having been rescheduled and hosted by Malaysia in October.

The Lusail International Circuit, which hosts the Qatar Grand Prix, staged a round of the MotoGP season from November 6-8.

There had been security concerns ahead of the event, which led to Japanese constructor Yamaha opting not to attend, but it passed without incident.

Kimi Antonelli sealed the F1 drivers' title in Mexico City before his Mercedes team closed out the constructors' title a week later in Brazil.