The Bahrain Grand Prix has been canceled in Bahrain and will instead be held in Malaysia at the Sepang circuit from early October, due to the ongoing Middle East conflict and guarantees from the Malaysian government.

Hamilton may view the Imola contingency favorably for his bid at an eighth world championship, given Imola’s home connection to his team’s Italian base.

The revised calendar positions the race between Azerbaijan on September 26 and Singapore on October 11, 2026, forming a tight European-to-Asian transition.

The season’s finale is expected to include races in Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi a week later, though exact dates remain under review.

The Imola contingency also offers a European finale after almost three decades, which could be a meaningful omen for Hamilton.

F1 chief Stefano Domenicali says the calendar remains adaptable and promises a full, exciting season for fans, highlighting Sepang as a historic setting.

Domenicali emphasizes Malaysia’s strong logistics and the sport’s ability to deliver an engaging calendar despite uncertainties.

A FIA World Motorsport Council meeting was planned to decide the fate of Middle East races for WEC and potentially influence F1 decisions if security concerns persist.

This shift creates a rare near-European season finale setup, potentially the first since 1997 when Jerez hosted the final round.

Sepang is a proven, popular choice, having hosted F1 from 1999 through 2017, making it a solid option for a temporary return.

Domenicali aims to confirm the existing calendar while recovering a race missed during the most difficult months of the conflict.

There remains ongoing uncertainty about the overall season, with further calendar decisions expected closer to late September if new developments arise.