FIA Formula 2 (F2) CEO Bruno Michel has reiterated his determination to complete the 2026 championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite continued questions surrounding the final two rounds. With Rafael Câmara, Nikola Tsolov and Alex Dunne separated by just 18 points, the championship faces a closely contested conclusion after a dramatic Azerbaijan weekend.
During an October 2026 virtual media event attended by Pit Debrief, Michel addressed concerns about the remaining races, the possibility of alternative venues and the sporting consequences of ending the championship before its scheduled conclusion.
The final two rounds remain scheduled for Lusail from 27–29 November and Yas Marina from 4–6 December. However, uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East has prompted questions about whether F2 can complete its planned 14-round campaign. Michel maintained that organisers intend to follow F1’s arrangements and settle the championship on track.
Michel reiterates commitment to Qatar and Abu Dhabi
The uncertainty surrounding the remaining rounds has become particularly significant as the championship approaches its conclusion. Earlier disruptions forced F2 to amend its calendar, replacing the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian events with Miami and Montreal. Although those changes allowed the championship to preserve its planned number of rounds, they also highlighted the difficulties of organising international events amid circumstances beyond its control.
With the final two events still scheduled to take place in the Middle East, questions have continued over the safety of drivers and teams and whether further calendar changes might become necessary. Michel nevertheless expressed confidence in the arrangements, stressing that F2 remains aligned with F1.
“Well, for the moment, and I think it’s completely clear, Qatar and Abu Dhabi are on the calendar and we are going to finish the championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. We’re following Formula 1 on that. Formula 1 is completely aware of the situation and what needs to be done to make sure that we exercise those two races in the best conditions, which will be the case. So, we are really looking forward, since we have a fantastic championship to finish, with a lot of drivers, three drivers, fighting for the title. We’re really looking forward to have those two races in Qatar.”
Three drivers separated by 18 points in championship fight
The importance of completing the final two rounds has increased following the dramatic changes to the F2 standings in Azerbaijan. Câmara arrived in Baku trailing Tsolov but emerged with the championship lead after a weekend featuring three races and several decisive incidents.
The Invicta Racing driver now leads with 207 points, holding a seven-point advantage over Tsolov. Dunne remains third on 189, leaving him 18 behind Câmara and 11 behind the Bulgarian. All three have demonstrated the ability to challenge for victories, although their respective campaigns have included setbacks that prevented any driver from establishing a decisive advantage.
Câmara has secured three Feature Race victories during his rookie season, while Tsolov has regularly collected substantial points through his performances with Campos Racing. Meanwhile, Dunne’s recent resurgence has transformed his championship prospects after several difficult weekends during the European rounds.
With two race weekends remaining, the leading contenders still have opportunities to change the championship order considerably. Consequently, any disruption to the scheduled finale would carry significant implications for a title battle that remains competitive.
Azerbaijan transforms the Drivers’ Championship
The Azerbaijan weekend demonstrated how quickly the championship could change, particularly with F2 introducing an additional Feature Race to its programme. Tsolov began the event leading Câmara by seven points, but a retirement in the first Feature Race allowed his closest rival to move ahead.
Dunne was another major beneficiary, converting pole position into victory in Feature Race 1. The Rodin Motorsport driver led home teammate Martinius Stenshorne, collecting 28 points and reducing his championship deficit to just eight before the final race.
However, Feature Race 2 produced another decisive change. Dunne crossed the finish line first but received a five-second penalty for crossing the white line at pit entry. The sanction promoted Câmara to victory, with Tsolov completing an impressive recovery from 11th to second.
Câmara consequently reclaimed a seven-point advantage, while Dunne’s third-place classification left him 18 behind the leader. The final Baku results reinforced the unpredictability of the championship, with all three contenders experiencing significant changes in their positions across the weekend.
Michel remains confident remaining rounds will proceed
Despite the importance of completing the championship, questions have persisted about the alternatives available should Qatar or Abu Dhabi become unavailable. The championship previously demonstrated its ability to introduce replacement events at short notice, although the remaining calendar leaves fewer opportunities to make further changes.
During an earlier virtual media event attended by Pit Debrief, Dunne and Oliver Goethe discussed possible alternative venues. Both drivers expressed interest in visiting additional circuits, while acknowledging the importance of ensuring that competitors and personnel could race safely.
However, Michel did not identify a contingency venue when journalists raised the possibility of another cancellation. Instead, he maintained that organisers intended to retain their existing plans.
“Well, Qatar and Abu Dhabi will not be cancelled. You know, the drivers always have an opinion on a lot of things. But I tell you, now, we want to finish the season there for sure. And that’s what Formula 1 is doing as well, and that’s what we’re hoping to do.”
His comments reinforced F2’s preferred approach, although the championship has not announced an alternative programme for the remaining rounds.
Declaring a champion early would undermine title battle
Beyond the practical difficulties of arranging replacement events, an early conclusion would also raise significant sporting questions. With the leading contenders separated by narrow margins, ending the season after Azerbaijan would prevent the drivers from contesting the remaining championship points.
The situation would particularly affect Tsolov and Dunne, who still have realistic opportunities to overturn Câmara’s advantage. Both drivers have demonstrated competitive race pace during the season, while the contrasting results at Baku showed how quickly a retirement, penalty or race victory can change the standings.
Michel acknowledged those concerns when journalists asked whether F2 could accept a championship result based solely on the rounds completed so far.
“Well, you know, that would be very sad, let’s put it that way. So, I don’t think it’s going to happen. I don’t think it’s not going to happen. Because I agree, going back and saying, by the way, the champion has been declared months ago, that we could be crowned, would not be very good. So, yes, we absolutely want to finish the championship as it is.”
His response emphasised the importance of determining the title through the planned competition rather than allowing circumstances outside the championship to dictate its outcome.
Teams’ Championship adds further importance to finale
Although the Drivers’ Championship has attracted considerable attention, the remaining rounds will also decide the Teams’ Championship. Campos Racing enters the finale with 333 points, holding a 36-point advantage over Invicta Racing on 297. Rodin Motorsport follows closely with 296, leaving just one point between the teams occupying second and third.
The standings reflect the competitive strength of the three leading organisations throughout 2026. Campos has benefited from Tsolov’s results alongside Noel León’s performances, while Invicta has relied heavily on Câmara’s qualifying pace and Feature Race success. Meanwhile, Rodin’s resurgence has brought the team back into contention, particularly following Dunne and Stenshorne’s one-two finish in Baku.
With two weekends remaining, the championship outcome will depend on the results of both drivers at each team rather than the title contenders alone. A poor weekend for one entry could therefore have significant consequences, even if its teammate remains competitive.
The final events will consequently determine more than the Drivers’ crown, adding further importance to Michel’s commitment to completing the scheduled campaign.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi set for decisive conclusion
The final two rounds will return F2 to its conventional weekend format after the expanded Azerbaijan programme. Each event will feature a Sprint Race and Feature Race, giving the championship contenders further opportunities to score points before the season concludes at Yas Marina.
Câmara enters with the advantage, although Tsolov remains firmly involved after recovering from a difficult Baku weekend. Dunne also carries significant momentum into the finale, having secured a victory and three podium finishes during the Azerbaijan event.
The contrasting strengths of the leading drivers leave the championship open. Câmara’s qualifying consistency has provided an important advantage throughout the season, while Tsolov has demonstrated strong race management and recovery performances. Dunne, meanwhile, will aim to build on the pace that allowed Rodin to challenge for victories during the closing European rounds.
Michel’s comments make clear that F2 intends to complete the championship in Qatar and Abu Dhabi, with organisers continuing to follow F1’s arrangements.
For the drivers and teams, the priority remains securing the opportunity to settle their respective title battles on track after a closely contested 2026 campaign.
