2026 F1 Calendar Bombshell: Canadian GP to Clash with Indy 500 in Epic Showdown
Peter Casey-Imagn Images
The 2026 F1 calendar dropped today, unveiling a packed lineup of races with bold changes that promise high-octane drama but have already sparked heated debate among fans and teams alike. It also revealed a first-ever for the sport: a head-to-head race against the Indy 500.
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F1 and the FIA have revealed the schedule for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship, confirming another 24-round season. The championship will visit five continents, starting in Australia from March 6-8, 2026, and concluding in Abu Dhabi from December 4-6, 2026. The 2026 F1 season marks a new era with brand-new technical regulations and cars powered by 100% sustainable fuel. We'll also see big automotive names like Audi, Cadillac, and Ford joining the grid in various capacities.
Here are the changes to the 2026 F1 calendar, including a new race and some familiar circuits being reshuffled or eliminated from the schedule.
Related: Max Verstappen would be 'wise' to take 2026 off says former F1 champ
The 2026 F1 calendar changes have some steaming mad
Credit: F1
One of the most notable changes to the 2026 Formula 1 calendar is the debut of Madrid, which will take over as the host of the Spanish Grand Prix from September 11-13. With the addition of the race at the Madring, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola has been dropped from the schedule for now. Imola's mayor has released a statement expressing disappointment but is hopeful for a future return.
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'This is news we were aware of and which, understandably, generates questions, disappointment and bitterness, because in recent years our territory has demonstrated its ability to host an extraordinary event with record numbers,' said Imola mayor Marco Panieri in a released statement. 'The grand prix in Imola was one of the most loved and appreciated by fans and drivers, as demonstrated in the days following the event. However, we want to be very clear: this news does not represent the end of the story.'
Read More: 2025 F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola: Top 5 Storylines
Key shifts aimed at efficiency mean key date changes for F1
Credit: Mike DiNovo-Imagn Images
There are also some key shifts in timing with the new 2026 Formula 1 calendar aimed at improving the geographical flow and efficiency.
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The Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal moves to May 22-24, following the Miami Grand Prix on May 1-3. This earlier slot in the 2026 Formula 1 calendar allows equipment to move more efficiently between the two North American events. Interestingly, the new date for the Canadian GP (May 24 weekend) means it will clash with the Indianapolis 500, traditionally held on the same weekend. The Monaco Grand Prix also shifts later, moving from its usual late May slot to June 5-7, kicking off a consolidated European leg of the season.
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar features familiar venues, including Silverstone (July 3-5), Spa-Francorchamps (July 17-19), and Monza (September 4-6), as well as three races in the USA at Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. The season will again end with a triple-header in the Americas, followed by Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Related: F1 Power Rankings 2025: Top 10 entering Canadian Grand Prix
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New York Times
35 minutes ago
- New York Times
Prime Tire: The other sad F1 race clash. Plus, McLaren struggles early in Canada
Prime Tire Newsletter | This is The Athletic's twice-weekly F1 newsletter. Sign up here to receive Prime Tire directly in your inbox on Tuesday and Friday. Welcome back to Prime Tire, where the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix is getting underway on the same weekend as another major motorsport race. In the week when it was confirmed the 2026 Montreal race will clash directly with the 110th Indianapolis 500, which caused consternation for many motorsport followers, the 93rd Le Mans 24 Hours is also taking place. And next year, this famous race will now run on the same weekend as what could be Formula 1's final visit to Barcelona. I'm Alex, and Luke Smith will be along later, but here's what fans are missing in motorsport's other frustrating major race clash. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown once told me that if he was being 'really greedy', he'd love for his orange teams to win F1's Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 and Le Mans all in one year. 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It's got him this far. Don't expect the potential ban to be anything like enough of a deterrent for his uncompromising approach. But did we really expect anything different? Last week, I interviewed former Haas F1 team boss Guenther Steiner in The Athletic's London office. No-nonsense as ever — and without a single swear word — we caught up on what he's up to these days, 18 months after he left what will soon be one of two American squads on the grid. The standout newsline was that he could soon appear more frequently in yet another motorsport sphere. If negotiations with the Tech3 MotoGP team come to fruition on Steiner's investment offer, he could end up being team CEO. This could even end up being a full takeover of the team currently tied to the financially embattled KTM marque. But, Steiner being Steiner, the conversation was varied. 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Yahoo
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MLB to Celebrate Shohei Ohtani, Other Japanese Players with Custom Manhole Covers
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