SAO PAULO, Nov 8: A decision on whether the Formula One season finale will be held at Italy’s Imola circuit instead of in West Asia must be made by Tuesday, according to Motorsport Media on Saturday.
The season is scheduled to conclude with races in Qatar on Nov 29 and Abu Dhabi on Dec 6.
However, conflict and tensions in West Asia have prompted F1 to consider holding just one race at Imola instead, although it has publicly backed the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races.
Organisers in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna need to know soon whether they should step in as replacements.
After Tuesday, there would not be enough time to make the necessary preparations.
Haas F1 team principal Ayao Komatsu also confirmed the Tuesday deadline, according to broadcaster ESPN.
Imola, as a contingency option, would host the race in December.
It would also give Mercedes’ newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli a home race.
If the deadline for Imola passes and an escalation of tensions makes the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix impossible for security reasons, the season could instead end on Nov 21 in Las Vegas.
However, according to ESPN, Formula One has promised teams at least 22 races this season.
A Las Vegas finale would bring the total to just 21.
— BERNAMA-dpa