Formula 1 fans, buckle up— the F1 2026 calendar is here, and it’s a globe-trotting masterpiece packed with 24 high-octane Grands Prix from March to December. Announced by the FIA and F1, this provisional schedule shakes things up with a brand-new Madrid street circuit for the Spanish GP, bidding farewell to the traditional Barcelona layout while keeping the summer break drama-free with smarter spacing. Whether you’re chasing “F1 races 2026” dates for your travel plans or hunting the “Formula 1 2026 schedule” for fantasy league prep, this deep dive has you covered. From Down Under openers to Yas Marina finales, expect six Sprint weekends to crank up the chaos. Let’s rev through the full F1 2026 season calendar and spotlight what makes it unmissable.
If you’re searching for “F1 2026 calendar dates,” “Madrid F1 race 2026,” or “F1 sprint weekends 2026,” stick around—we’ve got the timeline, highlights, and insider buzz to fuel your passion.
What’s New in the F1 2026 Schedule? Madrid Magic and Sprint Surge
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar sticks to 24 races but amps the excitement with strategic tweaks. The big reveal? The Spanish Grand Prix splits into two: a classic Barcelona slot in June and a fresh Madrid street circuit in September (pending FIA homologation). This urban thriller—envisioned as a Monaco-meets-Singapore spectacle—promises tight corners through the Spanish capital, drawing massive local crowds and boosting European accessibility.
Sprint weekends return with six editions (China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, Netherlands, and Singapore), adding Friday qualifying, Saturday sprints, and bonus points for mid-season fireworks. No more back-to-back triple-headers that burned drivers out; instead, a balanced flow with a mid-summer break after Hungary. Sustainability shines too, with greener travel routes cutting carbon footprints. As F1 eyes 100 million+ fans, this F1 2026 schedule blends legacy tracks like Monza and Spa with global gems—perfect for armchair viewers or jet-set superfans.
Full F1 2026 Calendar: Every Race Date, Location, and Sprint Details
Here’s the complete Formula 1 2026 schedule, laid out weekend by weekend. All races kick off on Sundays (local time TBD closer to events), with Sprint formats flipping Friday/Saturday action. Mark your calendars for these F1 races 2026—from Albert Park’s roar to Abu Dhabi’s lights-out glamour.
| Round | Race Dates | Grand Prix | Circuit/Location | Sprint Weekend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 6-8 | Australian Grand Prix | Albert Park, Melbourne | No |
| 2 | March 13-15 | Chinese Grand Prix | Shanghai International Circuit | Yes |
| 3 | March 27-29 | Japanese Grand Prix | Suzuka International | No |
| 4 | April 10-12 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Bahrain International Circuit | No |
| 5 | April 17-19 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Street Circuit | No |
| 6 | May 1-3 | Miami Grand Prix | Miami International Autodrome | Yes |
| 7 | May 22-24 | Canadian Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal | Yes |
| 8 | June 5-7 | Monaco Grand Prix | Circuit de Monaco | No |
| 9 | June 12-14 | Spanish Grand Prix | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | No |
| 10 | June 26-28 | Austrian Grand Prix | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg | No |
| 11 | July 3-5 | British Grand Prix | Silverstone Circuit | Yes |
| 12 | July 17-19 | Belgian Grand Prix | Spa-Francorchamps | No |
| 13 | July 24-26 | Hungarian Grand Prix | Hungaroring, Budapest | No |
| 14 | August 21-23 | Dutch Grand Prix | Circuit Zandvoort | Yes |
| 15 | September 4-6 | Italian Grand Prix | Monza | No |
| 16 | September 11-13 | Spanish Grand Prix | Madrid (new street circuit)* | No |
| 17 | September 24-26 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix | Baku City Circuit | No |
| 18 | October 9-11 | Singapore Grand Prix | Marina Bay Street Circuit | Yes |
| 19 | October 23-25 | United States Grand Prix | Circuit of the Americas, Austin | No |
| 20 | October 30-Nov 1 | Mexican Grand Prix | Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City | No |
| 21 | November 6-8 | Brazilian Grand Prix | Interlagos, Sao Paulo | No |
| 22 | November 19-21 | Las Vegas Grand Prix | Las Vegas Strip Circuit | No |
| 23 | November 27-29 | Qatar Grand Prix | Lusail International Circuit | No |
| 24 | December 4-6 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Yas Marina Circuit | No |
*Subject to FIA homologation. Sprint weekends feature a compact format: Friday practice/qualifying, Saturday sprint race, Sunday full Grand Prix.
F1 2026 Highlights: Must-Watch Races and Championship Predictions
The F1 2026 calendar isn’t just dates—it’s drama waiting to unfold. Kicking off with Australia’s March opener sets a high bar, while Monaco’s June glamour and Silverstone’s July Sprint promise rain-soaked rivalries. The Madrid F1 race 2026 could steal headlines as a street-circuit debut, potentially hosting 150,000+ fans per day. Don’t miss the Americas triple-threat: Miami Sprint, Austin’s COTA chaos, and Mexico’s high-altitude heroics.
Title talk? With 2025’s dust settling, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen eyes a fifth straight, but Ferrari’s resurgence and McLaren’s youth could flip the script. Mercedes, post-new regs, lurks as dark horses. Bold prediction: A Sprint-heavy season means more overtakes—expect 20+ wins for underdogs. For fantasy F1 players, stack points from Sprints; for travelers, bundle Europe legs (Monaco to Hungary) for epic road trips.
Gear Up for the F1 2026 Season: Tickets, Streams, and Fan Tips
As the Formula 1 2026 schedule locks in, snag tickets early—F1TV Pro streams every session, while ESPN/ABC covers U.S. races. Amex perks for premium access? Check official sites. With sustainability in focus, carpool to tracks or go virtual via VR broadcasts.
The F1 2026 calendar is F1’s boldest yet—24 races, endless stories. Which track are you hitting first: Madrid’s streets or Vegas’ neon? Drop your predictions in the comments, subscribe for race previews, and follow for “F1 races 2026” updates. The engines start in March—will you be ready?
