F1 2026: Abu Dhabi GP to put final touches; Madrid new addition to calendar
Abu Dhabi will again put the final touches after the Formula One calendar for the 2026 season was announced on Tuesday.
Next season's campaign will again consist of 24 races across different continents with Abu Dhabi, the 'diamond in the F1 crown', bringing the curtains down on the season yet again.
The Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE capital, made its F1 debut in 2009 and has hosted the season finale since 2014.
The circuit has witnessed championship deciders in 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2021 and looks likely to witness another cracker of a season ender this season. The 5.2km-circuit, which has a unique pit lane exit through a tunnel and also a five-star hotel within the track, has a contract until 2030 to host the final race.
The race weekend next season in Abu Dhabi will take place from December 4-6 just after the UAE celebrates National Day, also known as Eid Al Etihad, on December 2.
Leading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the Qatar GP at the Lusail Circuit, the penultimate race on the calendar.
The season will kick into gear in Melbourne, Australia with the race pencilled in on March 6-8 at Albert Park.
After races in Shanghai and Suzuka in Japan, the F1 bandwagon will make its first Middle Eastern stop at Sakhir, Bahrain on April 10-12. Bahrain is the first venue to host an F1 race in the Middle East when it made its debut on April 4, 2004.
Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the next race after Bahrain on April 17-19.
Madrid is the new addition to the 2026 calendar with Spain set to have two races after Barcelona.
Next season will see new regulations come into play with regard to power units and aerodynamics.
The season will also witness the arrival of iconic brand Cadillac, which is se the become the 11th team on the grid, while German manufacturer Audi will join as a power unit supplier.
'Next year's FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport. A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition," FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, told the official Formula 1.com.
'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% advanced sustainable fuels signal an exciting new era of racing," the Emirati former rally driver, who became the FIA President in 2021, added.
2026 calendar
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, United States
May 22-24: Montreal, Canada
June 5-7: Monaco
June 12-14: Barcelona, Spain
June 26-28: Spielberg, Austria
July 3-5: Silverstone, Great Britain
July 17-19: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
July 24-26: Budapest, Hungary
August 21-23: Zandvoort, Netherlands
Sept 4-6: Monza, Italy
Sept 11-13: Madrid, Spain
Sept 25-27: Baku, Azerbaijan
Oct 9-11: Singapore
Oct 23-25: Austin, United States
Oct 30-Nov 1: Mexico City, Mexico
Nov 6-8: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nov 19-21: Las Vegas, United States
Nov 27-29: Lusail, Qatar
D ec 4-6: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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