Formula 1 has confirmed the 2026 season will end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Formula 1 President & CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed that "The calendar is confirmed", as quoted in late August (Gulf News). The Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will take place from 3 - 6 December on the Yas Marina circuit.

Abu Dhabi could be America's newest team Cadillac's last hope of scoring a point this year

Cadillac has yet to score a point in its rookie Formula 1 season. That means that Cadillac drivers Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez are still on zero points after Singapore (ESPN). The shortened 2026 Formula 1 calendar has already cost the American team some chances at picking up its maiden point.

Formula 1 announced back in March that the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, originally slated for April, wouldn't take place, due to "the ongoing situation in the Middle East region" (Formula 1). Bahrain's race has since been rescheduled to take place at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit in early October. However, Saudi Arabia's race was never reinstated.

For now, it appears Cadillac will still have plenty of opportunities at bagging its first-ever point in Austin, Mexico City, São Paulo, Las Vegas, and Qatar before Abu Dhabi. A maiden point on the final day would go down well with the American squad.

Who will Formula 1 fans be watching at Abu Dhabi?

With Kimi Antonelli reportedly ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell by around 100 points after Singapore (ESPN), there's a chance that Abu Dhabi won't feature a tight title fight at the sharp end of Formula 1. It could keep the focus on fights further back in the grid, namely Cadillac's fight for that all-important point!

Every Formula 1 practice, qualifying and race session will be streamed exclusively on Apple TV in the US this season, as part of a five-year agreement between Apple and Formula 1 (Apple).

Written by

Dee