Your Complete Guide to the 2026 F1 Season
The 2026 Formula 1 season promises to be one of the most significant in the sport’s history. With revolutionary new engine regulations, an expanded calendar, and the continued global growth of F1, this season represents a new era for motorsport’s pinnacle championship.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 race calendar.
2026 F1 Race Calendar
| Round | Date | Grand Prix | Circuit | Location | 2025 Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 14-16 | Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026 | Albert Park Circuit | Melbourne, AUS | Lando Norris |
| 2 | Mar 21-23 | Lenovo Chinese Grand Prix 2026 | Shanghai International Circuit | Shanghai, CHN | Oscar Piastri |
| 3 | Apr 4-6 | MSC Cruises Japanese Grand Prix 2026 | Suzuka Circuit | Suzuka, JPN | Max Verstappen |
| 4 | Apr 18-20 | Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2026 | Bahrain International Circuit | Sakhir, BHR | Oscar Piastri |
| 5 | May 2-4 | STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2026 | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | Jeddah, SAU | Oscar Piastri |
| 6 | May 16-18 | Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026 | Miami International Autodrome | Miami, USA | Oscar Piastri |
| 7 | May 30-Jun 1 | Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco 2026 | Circuit de Monaco | Monte Carlo, MCO | Lando Norris |
| 8 | Jun 13-15 | MSC Cruises Gran Premio de Barcelona-Catalunya 2026 | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | Barcelona, ESP | Oscar Piastri |
| 9 | Jun 20-22 | Lenovo Canadian Grand Prix 2026 | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve | Montreal, CAN | George Russell |
| 10 | Jun 27-29 | Rolex Austrian Grand Prix 2026 | Red Bull Ring | Spielberg, AUT | Lando Norris |
| 11 | Jul 4-6 | Formula 1 Pirelli British Grand Prix 2026 | Silverstone Circuit | Silverstone, GBR | Lando Norris |
| 12 | Jul 25-27 | Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix 2026 | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps | Spa, BEL | Oscar Piastri |
| 13 | Aug 1-3 | Aramco Hungarian Grand Prix 2026 | Hungaroring | Budapest, HUN | Lando Norris |
| 14 | Aug 29-31 | Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2026 | Circuit Zandvoort | Zandvoort, NED | Oscar Piastri |
| 15 | Sep 5-7 | Pirelli Italian Grand Prix 2026 | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | Monza, ITA | Max Verstappen |
| 16 | Sep 19-21 | Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 | Baku City Circuit | Baku, AZE | Max Verstappen |
| 17 | Oct 3-5 | Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026 | Marina Bay Street Circuit | Singapore, SGP | George Russell |
| 18 | Oct 17-19 | Lenovo United States Grand Prix 2026 | Circuit of the Americas | Austin, USA | Max Verstappen |
| 19 | Oct 24-26 | Mexico City Grand Prix 2026 | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez | Mexico City, MEX | Lando Norris |
| 20 | Oct 31-Nov 2 | MSC Cruises São Paulo Grand Prix 2026 | Autódromo José Carlos Pace | São Paulo, BRA | Lando Norris |
| 21 | Nov 21-23 | Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2026 | Las Vegas Street Circuit | Las Vegas, USA | Max Verstappen |
| 22 | Nov 28-30 | Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix 2026 | Lusail International Circuit | Lusail, QAT | Max Verstappen |
| 23 | Dec 5-7 | Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2026 | Yas Marina Circuit | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Max Verstappen |
Season Highlights: What to Watch For
Early Season (March-April)
The championship begins in the Southern Hemisphere with Australia kicking off the season at Melbourne’s Albert Park. The tour heads to Asia for China’s unique Shanghai circuit and the driver-favourite Suzuka in Japan, before the Middle Eastern double-header of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – the latter being F1’s fastest street circuit with speeds exceeding 250 km/h.
European Season (May-August)
The heart of the calendar brings F1 to its traditional homes. Miami blends American entertainment with racing, while Monaco (May 30-June 1) remains the sport’s most prestigious and glamorous event. The European leg includes technical challenges at Barcelona and Budapest, and the Cathedral of Speed at Monza. Silverstone’s high-speed British GP (July 4-6) and Spa-Francorchamps’ legendary Eau Rouge in Belgium are unmissable highlights.
Global Finale (September-December)
F1’s worldwide reach shines in the season’s final stretch. Singapore’s night race remains the most physically demanding, while the North American trio of Austin, Mexico City, and Las Vegas showcases F1’s growing US presence. The championship often reaches its climax at Interlagos in Brazil before the Middle Eastern finale of Qatar and Abu Dhabi (December 5-7) concludes the season under the lights.
Key Venues:
- Abu Dhabi (Dec 5-7) – Season finale where championships are decided
- Monaco (May 30-Jun 1) – F1’s jewel in the crown
- Silverstone (Jul 4-6) – Fastest circuit with passionate home crowd
- Spa-Francorchamps (Jul 25-27) – Longest circuit and driver favourite
- Las Vegas (Nov 21-23) – Spectacular Saturday night racing on the Strip
What’s New for 2026?
Revolutionary Engine Regulations
The most significant changes for 2026 come under the hood. F1 introduces completely new power unit regulations designed to make the sport more sustainable while maintaining performance:
Increased Electrical Power: The electrical component (MGU-K) increases from 120kW to 350kW, making F1 cars significantly more electrically powered. Combined with the internal combustion engine, this creates more balanced hybrid performance.
Sustainable Fuels: All teams must use 100% sustainable fuels, representing a major step toward F1’s net-zero carbon goal by 2030.
Active Aerodynamics: New regulations allow active front and rear wings to reduce drag on straights while maintaining downforce through corners—a significant technical innovation.
Lighter, More Agile Cars: The minimum weight drops to 768kg (down from 798kg in 2024), creating more nimble, driver-focused racing.
New Teams and Driver Changes
Audi F1 Team: The German manufacturer enters F1 by taking over Sauber, bringing another major manufacturer to the grid and increasing competition.
Cadillac F1 (Potential): American manufacturer Cadillac’s entry remains under discussion, which would expand the grid to 22 cars.
Driver Market Shake-Up: With new regulations resetting performance, expect significant driver movements as teams rebuild around the new formula.
Calendar Expansion
The 2026 calendar features 24 races, making it F1’s longest season yet. The addition maintains F1’s global reach while balancing traditional European venues with growing markets in Asia, the Middle East, and Americas.
Cost Cap Evolution
The budget cap continues to evolve, ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining competitive balance. Teams must innovate within strict financial parameters, rewarding operational efficiency alongside engineering excellence.
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The 2026 season marks a new era for Formula 1. New engines. New regulations. New champions.
Don’t watch from home. Experience the speed, sound, and spectacle in person.