- 2026 will again feature 24 races
- European segment of schedule to be unbroken between June and September
- F1 will clash with Indy 500 after Canadian GP moved to May
Formula One and the International Automobile Federation (FIA) have confirmed a 24-race schedule for the series’ 2026 season.
The year gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix on 8th March and concludes with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 6th December.
As expected, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola makes way for the new street circuit in Madrid, with the Spanish Grand Prix set for 13th September. The semi-permanent track around the fairground of the Ifema Madrid exhibition centre has a contract until 2035.
Madrid rounds off an unbroken European section of the calendar that starts with the Monaco Grand Prix at the beginning of June, a move that was announced at the end of last year.
Formula One will have two visits to Spain next year as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya enters the final year of its contract. The name of the event has not been confirmed but, due to the local government support for the race, it could fall in line with the MotoGP race at the same track and be called the Catalan Grand Prix.
Next year will be the final visit to Zandvoort for Max Verstappen’s home race after organisers opted against signing a long-term extension last year. It is also the first season of the Belgian Grand Prix’s new rotational contract that sees it drop off the calendar in two of the next six years, though the first of these won’t be until 2028.
“2026 will be a new era for Formula One where we will witness a brand-new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100 per cent sustainable fuel,” said Stefano Domenicali, president and chief executive of Formula One.
“We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid.
“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe.
“I want to thank all our fans for their passionate support and the FIA, with all the volunteers, marshals and officials, as well as the promoters, partners, sponsors, host cities and the local motor racing federations for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule in what I know will be another historic year for Formula One.”
The Canadian Grand Prix is now paired with the Miami Grand Prix as Formula One executives look to streamline logistical operations and reduce emissions. This follows previous moves to rationalise the calendar, with Japan moved to the spring to align with races in the Asia-Pacific region, Azerbaijan paired with Singapore in the autumn, and Qatar shifted to the round before Abu Dhabi.
However, this means the Canadian Grand Prix will now clash with the Indianapolis 500, the first time a Formula One race has clashed with the iconic IndyCar event. Usually, the Monaco Grand Prix would take place on the same day but start earlier due to the time difference.
This could be perceived as a short-sighted move by Formula One, especially since growing the US audience is currently a key priority for the series. It also seems likely that the visit to Barcelona will clash with next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport,” said Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA. “A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition.
“With 24 Grands Prix across five continents, the season truly reflects the global nature of our community, while the improved geographical flow of the calendar shows our joint commitment to making the championship more efficient and sustainable.
“The debut of Madrid, the arrival of iconic brands like Audi, Cadillac, and Ford, and the introduction of the next generation of F1 cars powered by 100 per cent advanced sustainable fuels signal an exciting new era of racing.
“My thanks to everyone involved in putting on this incredible season and in delivering a calendar that continues to drive the sport forward on all fronts. And, my thanks to the fans whose passion and unwavering support keep the spirit of our sport alive.”
Next season marks the official entry of Audi as it completes its acquisition of the Sauber team, while Ford will come on board as a technical partner of Red Bull. Meanwhile, Cadillac will become the 11th team on the grid.
Credit: https://www.sportspro.com/news/f1-2026-calendar-schedule-madrid-barcelona-imola-canada-indy-500-june-2025/
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