Shifting Gears: 2026 Formula 1 Season Kicks Off Down Under, Makes Spanish Debut in Madrid
Australia Kicks Off Reform Period - Premiere in Madrid - Australia kicks off its Reform period - debut in Madrid.
Get ready for a fresh start in the Formula 1 world! Due to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, the 2026 season won't commence in Bahrain, but instead, the action is heading to the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8. The season will consist of 24 Grand Prix, with racing in Shanghai scheduled for March 15 and in Suzuka on March 29, following the Australian event.
Prepare for a greener Formula 1 as the new season brings significant rules reforms towards greater sustainability. The cars will be fueled by 100% CO2-neutral fuel, among other changes.
The races in Australia, China, and Japan will be followed by the Bahrain Grand Prix on April 12 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 19. Ramadan is expected to take place between February 16 and March 18 in 2026, so the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are scheduled after the holy month.
Brace for a newcomer
Madrid is gearing up to join the race calendar in 2026. A street circuit in the Spanish capital at the exhibition grounds is where the action will take place on September 13. Spain will host two races in 2026. The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit will host the event midway through June. The Monaco Grand Prix, due to serve as the European season opener, is scheduled for a week before the Madrid race. Despite Audi's entry as a works team in 2026, Germany is not on the race calendar.
The season finale, as is customary, will be in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina Circuit on December 6. The race in Imola, Italy, will not be part of the Formula 1 calendar.
- Ramadan
- Bahrain
- Australia
- Madrid
- Formula 1
Insights
The revised 2026 Formula 1 calendar will include Madrid as a new race venue on September 11-13, subject to FIA circuit homologation. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been scheduled for April, following Ramadan, which falls throughout February and March in 2026. The Canadian Grand Prix now moves to an earlier slot, enhancing freight efficiencies by allowing equipment to move directly between events. A condensed European leg of the season will take place during the summer months, starting with Monaco and ending with the Madrid Grand Prix.
The Commission, following the new Formula 1 calendar, has decided to authorise the commission to initiate the procedure provided for in Article 108 (2) of the Treaty, considering the addition of Madrid as a new race venue on September 11-13, subject to FIA circuit homologation. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix are scheduled for April, after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which is expected to take place between February 16 and March 18 in 2026.
