New Madrid Grand Prix to Close Out Expanded European F1 Leg
Formula 1’s 2026 calendar is beginning to take a very different shape—geographically, strategically, and even philosophically. The most headline-grabbing shift? Madrid will host its very first Grand Prix next September, in what’s being pitched as a reshuffling aimed at cutting down travel, slashing emissions, and tightening up the European heart of the season.
Scheduled for 11–13 September, the brand-new Madrid Grand Prix arrives as a replacement for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, a popular but vulnerable fixture in recent years. With the total number of races still capped at 24, Madrid’s entry reflects a broader change in how Formula 1 is piecing together its year: fewer long-haul hops, more logical clustering of races by region, and—most of all—a push toward a future that looks greener, both literally and politically.
Madrid’s Debut Marks the End of an All-European Summer
Madrid’s place on the calendar isn’t just a novelty. It also closes out a rare uninterrupted European run that begins with Monaco on the first weekend of June and stretches all the way to mid-September. In that time, the paddock will make stops in Barcelona, Spielberg, Silverstone, Spa, Budapest, Zandvoort, Monza—and finally, Madrid.
This packed European summer was no accident. Formula 1 has been working toward regionalizing its calendar to cut down on back-and-forth freight shipments that weigh heavily on the championship’s environmental footprint. With revised engine rules taking effect in 2026—ones that require 100% sustainable fuel—it’s part of a wider campaign to show that F1 can embrace sustainability without sacrificing spectacle.
Out with Imola, In with Innovation
For all the love Imola enjoys from fans and drivers alike, its days were numbered. After making a return in 2020 during the COVID-era reshuffle, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix remained on the calendar mostly due to regional and governmental support—and a personal connection, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali hailing from the area.
But the reality is brutal: Formula 1 has more countries knocking on its door than it has race slots to offer. Even with 25 being the contractual maximum (and 24 being what Domenicali calls the “sweet spot”), there simply isn’t room for everyone. And the days of countries hosting multiple Grands Prix—Italy with Monza and Imola, for example—are likely coming to an end.
It’s telling that Spain is only getting two races next year because of a quirk in timing. Barcelona still holds a contract for 2026, while Madrid is beginning a long-anticipated debut. But don’t expect both to stick around. A more likely scenario sees Spain rotating its venue from year to year—or dropping Barcelona altogether if talks don’t progress.
Canada Moves Up, Monaco Shuffles Back
Another major change? Canada’s traditional early June slot is now a late May affair. It’s been brought forward to 22–24 May, bumping Monaco back to 5–7 June. The reason is pure logistics. With Miami set for 1–3 May, this rearrangement allows teams to ship equipment directly from Florida to Montreal rather than flying everything back to Europe in between.
The change might seem small, but in the world of Formula 1 freight, where timing is everything and costs are astronomical, these tweaks matter. And they’re part of a broader recalibration that includes a two-week gap between the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix in March—a change from 2025’s tight turnaround.
The Full 2026 Formula 1 Calendar
- Australia – 6–8 March
- China – 13–15 March
- Japan – 27–29 March
- Bahrain – 10–12 April
- Saudi Arabia – 17–19 April
- Miami – 1–3 May
- Canada – 22–24 May
- Monaco – 5–7 June
- Spain (Barcelona) – 12–14 June
- Austria – 26–28 June
- Great Britain – 3–5 July
- Belgium – 17–19 July
- Hungary – 24–26 July
- Netherlands – 21–23 August
- Italy (Monza) – 4–6 September
- Spain (Madrid) – 11–13 September
- Azerbaijan – 25–27 September
- Singapore – 9–11 October
- United States (Austin) – 23–25 October
- Mexico – 30 October–1 November
- Brazil – 6–8 November
- Las Vegas – 19–21 November
- Qatar – 27–29 November
- Abu Dhabi – 4–6 December
Farewell to Zandvoort and a New Era for Spa
Next year’s Dutch Grand Prix will also be its last—at least for the foreseeable future. Zandvoort returned to the calendar in 2021 with much fanfare and orange flair, but its short run underlines how fierce the competition has become for a slot on the calendar.
Belgium’s legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit is clinging on, but even it will become a part-time player. Starting in 2026, Spa will host just four races over six years—appearing in 2026, 2027, 2029, and 2031. That’s a sobering reality for one of motorsport’s most iconic venues.
Eyes on the Future: Bangkok, Africa, and a Global Race to Join
Behind the scenes, Formula 1 continues its push for expansion beyond traditional markets. Thailand is making a serious play to host a Grand Prix in Bangkok, while F1 remains keen on adding a race in Africa—still the only inhabited continent without a spot on the calendar.
But Africa’s path has been complicated. Hopes of a Rwandan race have faded, while both Cape Town and Kyalami in South Africa are struggling to get viable projects off the ground. Morocco’s Tangier has entered the conversation, but as it stands, lacks the funding to go any further.
Still, the interest is there—and as older venues drop off, these emerging regions might soon have their day.
Final Thoughts: A Season of Transition and Tension
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar feels like a balancing act—between tradition and ambition, legacy circuits and new cities, European roots and global reach. Madrid’s arrival might symbolize change, but it also marks a turning point for the European section of the season: a grand finale for the continent before the sport jets off for the flyaways.
With sustainable fuels on the horizon, race logistics tightening up, and under-pressure circuits like Zandvoort and Imola slipping away, this calendar is more than just dates and destinations. It’s a snapshot of a sport evolving—and, perhaps, bracing for the battles off-track as fiercely as those on it.
