F1 and Lusail news, October 2026
Items from our daily Paddock news roundup, kept here once they are more than 14 days old.
Each item describes the situation as reported on the date shown and is not updated afterwards. Plans for the Qatar round may have changed since, so check the latest news and the event guides for where things stand now.
15 October 2026
- Championship
Haas promotes Ferrari junior Rafael Camara to F1 for 2027
The 21-year-old Brazilian, Formula 3 champion in 2025 and current Formula 2 leader, has signed a multi-year deal to race for Haas from next season. He takes the seat Esteban Ocon leaves at the end of 2026.
Sources: Formula1.com, RACER
- Qatar GP
F1 lets its mid-October Qatar deadline pass without an announcement
No statement has followed the mid-October target for deciding the last two rounds. According to ESPN and The Telegraph, F1 still plans to race at Lusail on 29 November but could wait until mid-November before any switch to Imola.
13 October 2026
- Qatar GP
Missile strike in Dhahran as the Qatar race deadline arrives
A missile hit an Aramco administrative building in Dhahran, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, on the night of 13 October, starting a fire but with no casualties reported. F1 has announced no change so far and the Qatar round is still set for 29 November.
Sources: The National, Bloomberg via World Oil
- Championship
F1 agrees a ten-year deal for a Rwanda Grand Prix
F1 will return to Africa for the first time since Kyalami in 1993, with a race at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 40 km from Kigali. The track has yet to be built and the first race is expected in the early 2030s, with no date set.
Sources: AP via CP24, RACER
12 October 2026
- Qatar GP
Final call on the Qatar race is due this week
Teams were told F1 would decide by mid-October whether the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds go ahead, with Imola on standby. The deadline arrives after deadly attacks shut Riyadh’s main airport. So far F1 has announced no change and the Lusail race is still set for 29 November.
Sources: Sky Sports, ABC News
11 October 2026
- Race
Verstappen wins in Singapore for the first time
Max Verstappen led from pole to win under the lights at Marina Bay, 7.3 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc, with Kimi Antonelli third. It completed a weekend sweep after he also took Saturday’s sprint.
Sources: Formula1.com race report, The National
- Championship
Antonelli 102 points clear and able to clinch the title in Austin
Third place in Singapore stretched Kimi Antonelli’s lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 102 points, which puts the drivers’ title within reach at the United States Grand Prix on 25 October, five weeks before the Qatar round.
Sources: The National, TSN, title scenarios
- Race
Hamilton slips from third to sixth and takes the blame
Lewis Hamilton started third but faded on worn tyres late on, passed by both McLarens and by Antonelli. He apologised to his Ferrari team over the radio for the strategy call not to stop a second time.
Sources: The National, Formula1.com race report
8 October 2026
- Lusail
Volunteer applications open for the MotoGP and F1 weekends
Lusail is recruiting volunteers for MotoGP on 6 to 8 November and the Qatar Grand Prix on 27 to 29 November. Applicants must be 18 or over, hold a Qatar ID valid until 10 December and apply before 18 October.
Source: Qatar Tribune
7 October 2026
- Lusail
Lusail lights up pink for a community track evening
The circuit opened its track to runners, walkers and cyclists for a Pink October evening supporting breast cancer awareness, with the venue lit pink for the night.
Source: Qatar Tribune
3 October 2026
- Qatar GP
F1 says the Qatar Grand Prix will go ahead on 29 November
After months of doubt over the Middle East conflict, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the season will finish in Qatar and Abu Dhabi as scheduled, with the Imola fallback off the table for now. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said all lights are green but called the situation volatile.
Sources: Malay Mail (dpa), Gulf News