F1 2026 calendar: Madrid makes debut as major venue dropped

June 10, 2025

Imola has been axed from the F1 2026 calendar next year, with Madrid added as a Spanish GP host.

F1 officials have released the full 24-race schedule for next season, which sees Australia host the curtain raiser once again.

Madrid remains the only circuit that has been added with the Spanish capital welcoming drivers across 11-13 September.

That will replace the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy whose contract ran out this year.

Monaco will host the first European race of the calendar on June 7 before heading to Barcelona a week later.

The British Grand Prix at Silverstone is being held in its usual slot with the race scheduled for July 5.

There are just three triple headers of back-to-back races, both coming at the end of the season.

Drivers will head to the USA, Mexico and Brazil in three consecutive weekends starting on October 25. A two-week break follows before ending the campaign in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

One key change organisers have attempted to implement is to make the calendar more sustainable and reduce carbon emissions.

Therefore, the Canadian Grand Prix has been brought forward to May, which follows the Miami Grand Prix. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races are also being held one week apart.

President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, said: “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.

“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.”

F1 2026 calendar in full

Australia – March 8
China – March 15
Japan – March 29
Bahrain – April 12
Saudi Arabia – April 19
Miami – May 3
Canada – May 24
Monaco – June 7
Spain (Barcelona) – June 14
Austria – June 28
Great Britain – July 5
Belgium – July 19
Hungary – July 26
Netherlands – August 23
Italy – September 6
Spain (Madrid) – September 13
Azerbaijan – September 27
Singapore – October 11
USA – October 25
Mexico – November 1
Brazil – November 8
Las Vegas – November 21
Qatar – November 29
Abu Dhabi – December 6

Imola axed from calendar

While the F1 contract states there can be 25 races on the calendar, CEO Stefano Domenicali doesn’t want to have any more than 24.

That’s because he remains concerned about the extra demands it will have on teams and racers.

Imola signed a five-year contract in 2020, during a period when Covid was restricting travel plans.

It was seen as a destination that was accessible and could adhere to protocols. Next year will also be the last race at the Netherlands’ Zandvoort track.

Oscar Piastri, who leads the Drivers Championship by 10 points, is currently favourite to take the crown this year with best betting sites.