After an exciting close to the 2025 season, where Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 world title in a close competition, it’s time to prepare for the new 2026 season. For the fans, the winter break is short, but for the teams, who are preparing to present their new 2026 era cars, time is even more limited. Another competitive season is expected. This year, the grid expands to 11 teams and 22 drivers with the addition of Cadillac. Audi also joins the grid, after taking control of the Sauber team.
Key Dates and Season Updates for 2026
Here’s an essential guide to the 2026 season, with everything you need to know for your calendar.
Preseason Tests
In 2026, six days of official pre-season testing will be held in Bahrain, in addition to a four-day private test in Barcelona in January, behind closed doors. The Barcelona program is not organized by F1 or the FIA, but the teams agreed on the program with the Spanish circuit independently. The timing data from the Barcelona test will not be made public. Bahrain, on the other hand, will be televised as usual. The testing days in Bahrain will be divided into morning and afternoon sessions. These sessions give the drivers and teams the opportunity to get up to speed, and give us a first look at everyone’s performance. This year offers even more intrigue, as the new era cars enter the track to set the first public lap times.- January 26-30: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (behind closed doors)
- February 11-13: Pre-season testing in Bahrain
- February 18-20: Pre-season testing in Bahrain
Formula 1 2026 Calendar
Two weeks after the tests, the season will begin in Melbourne, Australia. There will be 23 more races worldwide, with the United States hosting more races than any other nation, with three: Miami (May 3), Austin (October 25) and Las Vegas (November 21), and Spain welcomes a newcomer in Madrid. We will also have six weekends with sprint races, including the British Grand Prix and the Singapore Grand Prix, with more races and more points at stake.- May 1-3: Miami Grand Prix, Miami (sprint weekend)
- May 22-24: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal (sprint weekend)
- June 5-7: Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco
- June 12-14: Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Barcelona
- June 26-28: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg
- July 3-5: British Grand Prix, Silverstone (sprint weekend)
- July 17-19: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps
- July 24-26: Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest
- August 21-23: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort (sprint weekend)
- September 4-6: Italian Grand Prix, Monza
- September 12-14: Spanish Grand Prix, Madrid
- September 24-26: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku*
- October 9-11: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay (sprint weekend)
- October 23-25: United States Grand Prix, Texas
- October 30 – November 1: Mexico City Grand Prix
- November 6-8: Sao Paulo Grand Prix
- November 19-21: Las Vegas Grand Prix
- November 27-29: Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail
- December 4-6: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina
