Next year's calendar takes shape Meanwhile, F1 is nearing the finalisation of its 2026 calendar, which will once again kick off in Melbourne in early March, as has been known for some time. As was the case this year, the Middle Eastern leg of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be moved back due to the Islamic holiday of Ramadan, shifting those races to April slots behind China and Japan once more. One of the few expected changes over the first half of the season is Imola's disappearance and Canada's move from its current mid-June date to the second half of May. That will logistically make it easier to link up with Miami, although it is understood Miami and Canada will not actually be run back-to-back. To create room for Montreal, Monaco moves to early June from its traditional end-of-May date. The second half of the season isn't expected to see major changes other than the addition of Imola's replacement of Madrid at the end of September, with construction work currently under way to get the so-called Madring near the Barajas airport completed in time. Meanwhile, Thailand remains the most realistic mid-term option to join the calendar in 2028 or beyond, with the local government and Red Bull Thailand working on a proposed semi-permanent circuit on the outskirts of Bangkok. The ball is in the government's court to put forward a compelling proposal, after its prime minister met with F1 chief Stefano Domenicali in April. https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/as-barcelona-fights-for-its-f1-race-how-is-the-2026-calendar-shaping-up/10729477/
Lighter, smaller, more difficult to drive, better sound, and yes - less downforce. They should probably heavily regulate the diffs as well as they are basically a light version of traction control. Indycar decreased the downforce years ago - it improved the show dramatically, weeded out bad drivers, and expanded viewership. If the goal is really the most amazing engineering and fastest speeds, then you will have to take the ham out of the can and also move the crowds away from the track. Neither will improve the show. Racing is ultimately entertainment; not just about constantly decreasing lap times. To some extent you see the same with modern road cars. Many of them have become insanely fast, yet they are less entertaining than slower cars from just 10 years ago. Don't let the engineers drive the ship, that's why you have a captain.
Is there anyone who is excited about these new regulations? engines charging batteries while going into a corner?
The current regulations require fuel that is not dissimilar to that found in pumps near the track. One could get rid of all the fuel nonsense by having a tanker truck pick a random gasoline station within 50 miles of the race track, load it up, and all cars have to use fuel from that tanker for that weekend. This would put fuel back in the $2-$3 range so a 10× boost in fuel costs would be identical to fuel costs of today. But that makes too much sense.
Get rid of 200 Kg Get rid of turbos Get rid of electric motors, generators, alternators mandate a 96" wheelbase mandate single plane wings mandate convex hull body shapes. Done.
You can get those cars from the museums and private collections. Some are still seen in Historic Racing. Teams can make redundant 2/3 of their staff, their design office and fabrication shop, also close the wind tunnel. The few engineers left can consult the data records from 30 years ago, most of them already in the public domain. If they eliminate all progress and dumb down F1, it wont be the "pinacle or motorsport" anymore, but Formula Nostalgia.
NO IMOLA. PLUS MADRID. https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/imola-axed-from-2026-f1-calendar-as-madrid-street-race-added/ar-AA1GpB8B 2026 F1 calendar March 8 - Australia, Melbourne March 15 - China, Shanghai March 29 - Japan, Suzuka April 12 - Bahrain, Sakhir April 19 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah May 3 - United States, Miami May 24 - Canada, Montreal June 7 - Monaco June 14 - Spain, Barcelona June 28 - Austria, Spielberg July 5 - Britain, Silverstone July 19 - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps July 26 - Hungary, Budapest August 23 - Netherlands, Zandvoort September 6 - Italy, Monza September 13 - Spain, Madrid September 27 - Azerbaijan, Baku October 11 - Singapore October 25 - United States, Austin November 1 - Mexico, Mexico City November 8 - Brazil, Sao Paulo November 21 - United States, Las Vegas November 29 - Qatar December 6 - Abu Dhabi
Pulled from BBC F1 Comments: The race is in one of the ugliest parts of town. Looping around the 1980s exhibition centre (IFEMA), its carparks and wide, otherwise empty suburbs around it. Apart from tourism throughout race week, there is no gain for the city via legacy infrastructure and investment. It will be one of the least photogenic races on the calendar. As a Madrid resident, it is a difficult thing to support.
Good - less Hollywood more racing hopefully. How about more testing etc. Help competition and better racing for a better fan experience!! F1 decides against F175 style season launch in 2026 Formula 1 will not return to London's O2 Arena for a 2026 season launch, Autosport can reveal
Anyone get their friendly salesman email yet? Mine came in yesterday: · Australia (March 6-8): TBD · China (March 13-15): https://f1experiences.com/2026-chinese-grand-prix/deposit · Japan (March 27-29): https://f1experiences.com/2026-japanese-grand-prix/deposit · Bahrain (April 10-12): https://f1experiences.com/2026-bahrain-grand-prix · Saudi Arabia (April 17-19): https://f1experiences.com/2026-saudi-arabian-grand-prix/deposit · Miami (May 1-3): https://f1experiences.com/2026-miami-grand-prix/deposit · Canada (May 22-24): Not currently available online, contact me to reserve. · Monaco (June 5-7): https://f1experiences.com/2026-monaco-grand-prix/deposit · Barcelona (June 12-14): https://f1experiences.com/2026-barcelona-grand-prix/deposit · Austria (June 26-28): https://f1experiences.com/2026-austrian-grand-prix/deposit · British (July 3-5): https://f1experiences.com/2026-british-grand-prix/deposit · Belgium (July 17-19): https://f1experiences.com/2026-belgian-grand-prix/deposit · Hungary (July 24-26): https://f1experiences.com/2026-hungarian-grand-prix/deposit · Dutch (August 21-23): https://f1experiences.com/2026-dutch-grand-prix/deposit · Monza (September 4-6): https://f1experiences.com/2026-italian-grand-prix/deposit · Madrid (September 11-13): https://f1experiences.com/2026-spanish-grand-prix/deposit · Baku (September 25-27): https://f1experiences.com/2026-azerbaijan-grand-prix/deposit · Singapore (September 9-11): TBD · Austin (October 23-25): https://f1experiences.com/2026-united-states-grand-prix/deposit · Mexico City (October 30- November 1: https://f1experiences.com/2026-mexico-city-grand-prix/deposit · Brazil (November 6-8): https://f1experiences.com/2026-brazilian-grand-prix/deposit · Las Vegas (November 19-21): TBD · Qatar (November 27-29): https://f1experiences.com/2026-qatar-grand-prix/deposit · Abu Dhabi (December 4-6): https://f1experiences.com/2026-abu-dhabi-grand-prix/deposit
GPblog understands that the 2026 season will get underway with a special five-day event at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which will later host the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June as well. From 26 January until the 30 January, teams will be able to test during three days, and as a result, they will sit out two. That also leaves room for potential issues with the weather over the winter. This event will be behind closed doors. Together with the regulation change, the 11th team, Cadillac will join. Moreover, many teams will test with having new engine manufacturers. Audi will then be a factory team, Red Bull will use their in-house power units they build in collaboration with Ford, while Honda are teaming up with Aston Martin. Also two tests in Bahrain After the first test have been concluded in Barcelona, there will be two further three-day tests in Bahrain. During the current season, the grid visited the Sakhir International Circuit from 26 until 28 of February. Next year, the two similar tests will take place on 11-13 February, and then on 18-20 February, and fans can attend these tests. The season-opening round will then follow on 6-8 March in Australia.
