F1 Drops a Legendary Track for 2026 as 2026 Calendar Revealed

Newsweek

18 hours ago

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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While the 2025 Formula 1 season is only just starting to heat up, F1 has already announced its schedule for the upcoming 2026 season, revealing a new arrival and a dear departure.
The 2026 season will see the introduction of the Madrid Grand Prix, taking place in the center of one of the biggest cities in the world.
Madrid's Madring circuit is currently under construction, though the latest reports claim that the timeline should align with the schedule, as long as there are no notable delays.
Williams driver Carlos Sainz is one of the track's ambassadors and played a role in its development.
The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona is still on the calendar, though the arrival of the Madrid GP has cast doubts over Barcelona's future on the calendar in the future season.
The race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
The race start during the F1 Grand Prix of Spain at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on June 1, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Photo byItaly is going to lose a race on the calendar to make room for Madrid. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was removed from the upcoming calendar, losing one of the most iconic tracks on the rotation.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won the last race at Imola for the foreseeable future and noted that he will miss the track.
"Losing these kind of tracks is a shame," Verstappen told reporters after his race win.
"I get it from F1's side of things, of course -- the new tracks that we are going to, so you have to see it from a sportive side and a financial side, right?
"If you want to grow the business and make it more popular, I get it. For me, of course, personally, when I just speak about the enjoyment of driving, it's these kind of tracks that made me fall in love with racing in general -- in go-karting even, because you have the same thing in karting where some tracks are more special than others."
There will still be the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, but Imola holds a special place in F1 history.
The first F1 championship race at Imola was held in 1980, and it remains one of the oldest tracks still used in racing.
Unfortunately, F1 will not be racing there for a while.
The 2026 F1 Schedule
6–8 March – Australia – Melbourne
13–15 March – China – Shanghai
27–29 March – Japan – Suzuka
10–12 April – Bahrain – Sakhir
17–19 April – Saudi Arabia – Jeddah
1–3 May – USA – Miami
22–24 May – Canada – Montreal
5–7 June – Monaco – Monaco
12–14 June – Spain – Barcelona
26–28 June – Austria – Spielberg
3–5 July – United Kingdom – Silverstone
17–19 July – Belgium – Spa
24–26 July – Hungary – Budapest
21–23 August – Netherlands – Zandvoort
4–6 September – Italy – Monza
11–13 September – Spain – Madrid
25–27 September – Azerbaijan – Baku
9–11 October – Singapore – Singapore
23–25 October – USA – Austin
30 October – 1 November – Mexico – Mexico City
6–8 November – Brazil – São Paulo
19–21 November – USA – Las Vegas
27–29 November – Qatar – Lusail
4–6 December – Abu Dhabi – Yas Marina
For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.