Madrid in, Imola out - F1 2026 calendar revealed
2026 season will have 24 races across five continents
F1 and the FIA have revealed the full calendar for the 2026 Formula One season, with Madrid replacing Imola in the most notable change from 2025.
The season begins on March 8 in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix and ends in Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Madrid Grand Prix begins 9 year deal
The Madrid Grand Prix was approved in January and sees Formula One return to the city following a 45 year absence. Since 1991 the event has been held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, having moved there from Jerez in the South of Spain.
The new circuit, which lies between Madrid and Barajas airport, is a 5.47km race around the Ifema exhibition centre, containing 20 corners, and a mix of street circuit and road course sections. The aim is for 110,000 fans per day to be able to attend the circuit, and it is expected to be one of the ‘most accessible’ races on the calendar, with 90% of fans able to attend using public transport.
Imola misses out
One race that won’t be a part of 2026 is the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Having been on the calendar since 2020, the race is currently one of two Italian fixtures in the current campaign. The Imola Circuit has previously hosted the Italian Grand Prix in 1980, and the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006.
F1 goes eco-friendly
As well as the introduction of 100% advanced sustainable fuels, F1 has made a conscious effort to reduce the amount of freight travel between races by giving the calendar a geographical rejig.
This means an earlier Canadian Grand Prix from May 22-24 will follow the Miami Grand Prix weekend at the beginning of May, while the Monaco Grand Prix will take place from June 5-7 to begin a consolidated European leg of the season across the summer months. It also means that Canada, rather than Monaco, will clash with next year’s Indy500.
F1 will return to Madrid after a 45 year absence. Credit - Madring News
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “2026 will be a new era for Formula 1 where we will witness a brand-new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel.
We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid.”
F1 2026 Calendar in full
March 6-8 - Melbourne, Australia
March 13-15 - Shanghai, China
March 27-29 - Suzuka, Japan
April 10-12 - Sakhir, Bahrain
April 17-19 - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
May 1-3 - Miami, USA
May 22-24 - Montreal, Canada
June 5-7 - Monaco
June 12-14 - Barcelona, Spain
June 26-28 - Spielberg, Austria
July 3-5 - Silverstone, United Kingdom
July 17-19 - Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
July 24-26 - Budapest, Hungary
August 21-23 - Zandvoort, Netherlands
September 4-6 - Monza, Italy
September 11-13 - Madrid, Spain
September 25-27 - Baku, Azerbaijan
October 9-11 - Singapore
October 23-25 - Austin, USA
October 30 - November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico
November 6-8 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
November 19-21 - Las Vegas, USA
November 27-29 - Lusail, Qatar
December 4-6 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
words: Mike Booth
pictures: Red Bull