Latest news with #2026Season
New York Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New York Times
F1 takes on the Indy 500? Yikes. Plus, meet Red Bull's top prospect
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 we're ready to watch some groundhogs not play chicken with Formula One cars. Seriously, little fellas. Just stay inside this year. I'm Patrick, and Madeline Coleman will be along shortly. Let's dive in. F1 revealed its 2026 schedule today! So much is different. Just kidding. Only a few things are. But they're meaningful things! We'll get to those in a second. (Here's our story on the schedule release to get you started.) The sport's social-media accounts have a glossy version of the calendar, but I prefer this one from @Manny_JKim on X, because it shows off the real breadth of the diary. Advertisement So, we have some takeaways on the site. Here's one: The 2026 F1 season will last 273 days. 2026 F1 Season Calender – spacing visualized — Manny ⁸¹ (@Manny_JKim) June 10, 2025 More? More: Eep. Of course, I love F1. I write a newsletter about it. But eep. Some storylines from the schedule: Madrid's debut. Will the new semi-street track stand out from the pack of street circuits, and what will the growing pains be like? Remember that both Miami and Las Vegas didn't enjoy smooth debuts. Imola's absence and Zandvoort's farewell. Imola exits the calendar, in part to make room for Madrid. And we already know Zandvoort is on its way out, too. The inertia from traditional European circuits to street circuits will be a big storyline next year. Fatigue. That second half is just brutal. The stretch from September to December looks like one of the most intense closing runs in recent memory: 10 races in 13 weeks, with two tripleheaders to finish the season. For more takeaways from our experts, head here! And now to Madeline in the paddock… The 2026 F1 calendar was released today with some changes we knew were coming for months, like Monaco moving to June. This meant Canada shifting to May, and it would have been logical to assume Montreal and Miami would be close to each other for logistical reasons (though there are weather concerns when it comes to how early in the year the Canadian GP can be). Instead, two weekends separate those races, and now, Montreal will clash with the Indianapolis 500 on Memorial Day weekend in the U.S. While some have taken issue with this, a more glaring change to the schedule caught my eye: it ends on a double tripleheader — six grands prix in seven weeks. That run, which includes Austin, Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, features the only tripleheaders of the season, which is an improvement. The 2025 schedule features three: Japan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; Emilia-Romagna, Monaco and Spain; and Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Advertisement It is great for racing fans, particularly if a championship battle unfolds under the new regulations, but those stretches are brutal on those working inside the sport and the paddock. While Austin, in Texas, and Mexico City are relatively close (around 750 miles by air), Mexico City and Sao Paulo, Brazil, are separated by 7,433 kilometers (4,614.79 miles) by air. Then there's the case of switching from Las Vegas hours and flying out to Qatar — both of which are night races with time differences of 10 hours. While teams do rotate crew members to help with sustainability and well-being during different portions of the calendar, it doesn't make the stretch any less difficult. While efforts are being made to regionalize the calendar, it is getting busier. The demands on race weekends are also increasing as the sport's popularity continues to grow, and it's a tricky balance to land. As healthy as F1 is right now, it can't come at the cost of the people of the sport's well-being. We'll have to wait and see how this goes, and hopefully, the conversations about F1's future will continue. — Madeline Coleman I'm burying the lede here a bit: The biggest news out of the F1 2026 calendar is that the Canadian GP is running on May 24. In the United States, that's Memorial Day. What runs on Memorial Day in the United States, every year? The Indy 500. Whoops. Yes, the times will probably overlap: This weekend's Canadian GP starts at 2 p.m. ET. The Indy 500 usually starts at 12:45 p.m. ET. Again, whoops. I knew my colleague, Jeff Gluck, would have some strong thoughts about this, so I asked him to write a column. He didn't hold back, calling it 'a breathtakingly disrespectful move' for F1 to schedule a North American race at the same time as the Indy 500, arguably the most important North American race: 'Instead of weighing the optics, too, F1 never hit the brakes on its quest for motorsports domination and plowed right into a head-to-head battle with one of the most cherished traditions on the international racing calendar.' Advertisement I appreciated Jeff's viewpoint here, as someone who watched NASCAR grow to great heights and suddenly fall out of the cultural discussion in the span of 10 years in the 2000s. 'This is the exact type of thing that happens when a racing series begins to fly too close to the sun,' Jeff writes about F1's Indy 500 clash. Read the rest of his column here. 🔥 Oh, and FWIW: IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin weighed in today. Congrats to @f1 who single handedly ruined Motorsport Xmas. Indy 500 will be a scene next year. As well as the Coke 600. Good luck — Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) June 10, 2025 Look. I want to be fair to F1's decision-makers. It's quite possible this overlap with the Indy 500 wasn't deeply considered, considering the other constraints and priorities — take a long look at that stretch of the calendar, factor in ease of travel and weather, and it becomes a difficult puzzle to solve if you want to make everyone happy. But as an American racing fan? Yeah, I'd feel a little stepped-on here. There's nothing like the Indy 500 in motorsports — certainly not the Canadian GP, which, while one of my favorite F1 circuits, is probably mid-tier in terms of prestige at best. It's never a big draw for American audiences anyway and will likely be lapped by Indy's viewership that weekend. So: The disrespected feelings? I get it. F1's scheduling knot? I get it. Where I land, though, is a line from Jeff's column: 'Each series offers something unique, and the racing world isn't big enough to tear itself apart.' Motorsports fans shouldn't have to choose. Stop me if you've heard this before: A 17-year-old up-and-comer just got his super license (qualification to compete in F1) after his team asked for it to be approved early. That happened last year with Mercedes and Kimi Antonelli. (He didn't get his driver's license until this year. Motorsports are strange). It just happened again with Red Bull prospect Arvid Lindblad. Advertisement So it's time for a proper introduction. Lindblad is Red Bull's latest fast-track project. The Brit/Swede is in his debut FIA F2 season with Campos Racing, sitting third in the standings and just eight points off the lead. He's already notched two race wins (including becoming the youngest-ever F2 race winner in Saudi Arabia) and claimed feature-race pole (and win) in Barcelona just over a week ago. Before that, he dominated the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania series —six wins en route to the title. Back in 2024, he was fourth in F3. With the super license acquired, Lindblad is available for F1 reserve duties, FP1 outings or even a seat call-up — even though he'll only turn 18 on August 8. Red Bull doesn't do this for everybody. But Lindblad isn't just another name in the junior ladder — his is one the paddock has had circled for a while. And now you know who Arvid Lindblad is. The Austrian Grand Prix (June 29) will have some fun with the upcoming F1 movie: One of the APXGP cars that Brad Pitt drives in the film will join the legends parade that race weekend. Other cars from films including 'Rush' (a personal favorite of mine) will also be involved — check out the list. Finally, Haas is running a special livery in Canada for its 200th grand prix. You'll never believe what red, white and black colors it i… oh no, I've given it away. 📫 Love Prime Tire? Check out The Athletic's other newsletters.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Formula One reveals calendar for 2026 season
Formula One signage can be seen at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Formula One and motorsports ruling body FIA revealed on Tuesday the calendar for the 2026 season with 24 races. Bradley Collyer/PA Wire/dpa Formula One and motorsports ruling body FIA revealed on Tuesday the calendar for the 2026 season with 24 races. The season will start with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8 and conclude at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 6. Advertisement The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will again be held in April due to Ramadan taking place throughout February and March. The first European race will be the Monaco Grand Prix on June 7. Besides the race in Barcelona on June 14, Spain will also host the inaugural event in Madrid taking place on September 13. The Imola race, meanwhile, has been removed from the calendar after it failed to renew its contract. Italy will then host only the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on September 6. Drivers will have their summer break after the Hungarian Grand Prix on July 26 and return on August 23 at the Dutch Grand Prix. Advertisement F1 is expected to continue with six sprint events in 2026, with three three-days tests planned in Barcelona and Bahrain. The 2026 season will see two major changes in the sport. Cadillac will become the 11th team, bringing up the grid to 22 cars, while major regulations are to come into force - including new power units running 100% advanced sustainable fuels.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Madrid arrives in 24-race Formula One season in 2026 with Cadillac new on grid
The 2026 Formula One season will kick off in Melbourne in March and again feature 24 races as Madrid arrives on the calendar. The Australian Grand Prix gets the new campaign up and running on the weekend of 6-8 March and it will again conclude in Abu Dhabi on 4-6 December. Madrid, which last hosted an F1 race in 1981, enters the schedule on 11-13 September. The new 'Madring' circuit, featuring both street and non-street sections, is under construction and will be the only new venue on the calendar in 2026. It replaces the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, which drops off the 24-race list after Max Verstappen's victory in May. It will also be one of two races in Spain with Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya remaining on the agenda for next season – at least – over the weekend of 12-14 June. These changes come in a year that will see the introduction of new aerodynamics and power unit rules and the arrival of some new names on the grid, including a Cadillac team. The F1 president, Stefano Domenicali, said: '2026 will be a new era for Formula One where we will witness a brand new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100 per cent 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 One 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.' Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Full 2026 F1 calendar: March 6-8 - Australia (Melbourne) March 13-15 - China (Shanghai) March 27-29 - Japan (Suzuka) April 10-12 - Bahrain (Sakhir) April 17-19 - Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) May 1-3 - Miami (Miami) May 22-24 - Canada (Montreal) June 5-7 - Monaco (Monte Carlo) June 12-14 - Spain (Barcelona) June 26-28 - Austria (Spielberg) July 3-5 - Great Britain (Silverstone) July 17-19 - Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) July 24-26 - Hungary (Hungaroring) August 21-23 - Netherlands (Zandvoort) September 4-6 - Italy (Monza) September 11-13 - Spain (Madrid) September 25-27 - Azerbaijan (Baku) October 9-11 - Singapore (Marina Bay) October 23-25 - United States (Austin) October 30-November 1 - Mexico (Mexico City) November 6-8 - Brazil (Interlagos) November 19-21 - Las Vegas (Las Vegas) November 27-29 - Qatar (Lusail) December 4-6- Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina) Other changes include the Monaco Grand Prix, considered the sport's most prestigious event, moving from its regular end-of-May slot to 5-7 June. The Canadian Grand Prix also switches from its usual June date to 22-24 May, following Miami in the schedule, as part of the sport's continued drive to reduce carbon emissions. The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will take place for the final time on 21-23 August. The four-time world champion Verstappen's home race returned in 2021, having previously been absent for 35 years. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone – which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary – will take place on 3-5 July.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
F1 calendar announced for 2026 season - as fans lament one Grand Prix that will be 'deeply missed' with a new race added for the first time
The Formula One calendar for the 2026 season has been confirmed in an announcement released by the organisation on Tuesday morning. It will see another 24-race campaign take place, but with one fan-favourite Grand Prix nowhere to be seen on the list. Meanwhile, a new race in Madrid has been earmarked for the weekend of September 11-13 subject to FIA approval of the circuit. The sport's traditional curtain-raiser in Australia will occur from March 6-8 with the final race of the season being the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4-6. Elsewhere, the Canadian Grand Prix will be moved to an earlier slot on the penultimate weekend of May as the FIA implements further 'improvements to the geographical flow of races' - meaning it will follow the race in Miami. That paves the way for an expanded European run of races, beginning with the Monaco Grand Prix on the first weekend of June and culminating with the new race in the Spanish capital. However, some fans were dismayed to learn that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - held at the historic Imola circuit in San Marino - had been omitted. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: 'Woke up to the worst news ever. imola GP, you will be deeply missed'. A second lamented: 'We lost Imola to add another street circuit and five million years more of Miami GP'. Another remarked: 'it's very sad & disappointing that Imola is not on the calendar'. A further comment questioned: 'A country can't have more than one Grand Prix, so no Imola, but here you go with two races in Spain and three in the United States'. With Ramadan taking place throughout February and March in 2026, both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be held in April. Following the new race in Madrid, the sport will return to Asia for the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, prior to three successive races in the Americas, before Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season. Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali 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. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans voiced their disappointment over the omission of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola '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. 'I want to thank all our fans for their passionate support and the FIA for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule in what I know will be another historic year for Formula 1.' Full F1 2026 race calendar March 6-8: Australia March 13-15 China Shanghai March 27-29 Japan Suzuka April 10-12 Bahrain Sakhir April 17-19 Saudi Arabia Jeddah May 1-3 USA Miami May 22-24 Canada Montreal June 5-7 Monaco Monaco June 12-14 Spain Barcelona-Catalunya June 26-28 Austria Spielberg July 3-5 United Kingdom Silverstone July 17-19 Belgium Spa-Francorchamps July 24-26 Hungary Budapest August 21-23 Netherlands Zandvoort September 4-6 Italy Monza September 11-13 Spain Madrid* September 25-27 Azerbaijan Baku October 9-11 Singapore Singapore October 23-25 USA Austin October 30 - November 1 Mexico Mexico City November 6-8 Brazil Sao Paulo November 19-21 USA Las Vegas November 27-29 Qatar Lusail December 4-6 Abu Dhabi Yas Marina
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Madrid arrives on 24-race Formula One calendar in 2026
The 2026 Formula One season will kick off in Melbourne in March and again feature 24 races as Madrid arrives on the calendar. The Australian Grand Prix gets the new campaign up and running on the weekend of March 6-8 and it will once again conclude in Abu Dhabi on December 4-6. Advertisement Madrid, which last hosted an F1 race in 1981, enters the schedule on September 11-13. The new 'Madring' circuit, featuring both street and non-street sections, is under construction and will be the only new venue on the calendar in 2026. It replaces the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, which drops off the 24-race list after Max Verstappen's victory in May. It will also be one of two races in Spain with Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya remaining on the agenda for next season – at least – over the weekend of June 12-14. These changes come in a year that will see the introduction of new aerodynamics and power unit rules and the arrival of some new names on the grid, including a Cadillac team. Advertisement F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: '2026 will be a new era for Formula One where we will witness a brand new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100 per cent 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 One grid. The Monaco Grand Prix will be staged in June (David Davies/PA) '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.' Advertisement Other changes include the Monaco Grand Prix, considered the sport's most prestigious event, moving from its regular end-of-May slot to June 5-7. The Canadian Grand Prix also switches from its usual June date to May 22-24, following Miami in the schedule, as part of the sport's continued drive to reduce carbon emissions. The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will take place for the final time on August 21-23. Four-time world champion Verstappen's home race returned in 2021, having previously been absent for 35 years. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone – which this year celebrates its 75th anniversary – will take place on July 3-5. Advertisement Full 2026 F1 calendar: March 6-8 – Australia (Melbourne) March 13-15 – China (Shanghai) March 27-29 – Japan (Suzuka) April 10-12 – Bahrain (Sakhir) April 17-19 – Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) May 1-3 – Miami (Miami) May 22-24 – Canada (Montreal) June 5-7 – Monaco (Monte Carlo) June 12-14 – Spain (Barcelona) June 26-28 – Austria (Spielberg) July 3-5 – Great Britain (Silverstone) July 17-19 – Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps) July 24-26 – Hungary (Hungaroring) August 21-23 – Netherlands (Zandvoort) September 4-6 – Italy (Monza) September 11-13 – Spain (Madrid) September 25-27 – Azerbaijan (Baku) October 9-11 – Singapore (Marina Bay) Advertisement October 23-25 – United States (Austin) October 30-November 1 – Mexico (Mexico City) November 6-8 – Brazil (Interlagos) November 19-21 – Las Vegas (Las Vegas) November 27-29 – Qatar (Lusail) December 4-6– Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)
