F1 Reveals 2026 Calendar: Madrid In, Imola Out Amid Major Sprint Shake-up

The 2026 F1 season will feature a 24-race calendar spanning from March to December, highlighted by the arrival of the Madrid Grand Prix and the departure of Imola. The sprint format undergoes a significant overhaul, introducing new venues like Montreal and Singapore while dropping established rounds, and both Baku and Las Vegas will be run as Saturday races to accommodate local scheduling.

Why it matters:

The calendar dictates the entire rhythm of the F1 season, influencing championship battles, team logistics, and fan experiences. The addition of Madrid and removal of Imola signal a strategic shift in F1's European footprint, while the revamped sprint schedule aims to keep the format exciting by introducing it to new, challenging circuits like Silverstone and Zandvoort.

The details:

• Calendar Reshuffle: Italy loses its second race as the Emilia Romagna GP at Imola is removed. Spain gains a second round with the new Madrid GP joining Barcelona on the schedule, creating two distinct Spanish events at different points of the season.
• Sprint Shake-up: The six sprint events will be held in China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore.
  • Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore will all host their first-ever sprint weekends.
  • This replaces the 2025 lineup which included Spa-Francorchamps, Austin, São Paulo, and Lusail.
• Saturday Races: The Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku and the Las Vegas Grand Prix will both be held on Saturday. This change for Baku follows a request from local promoters, while Vegas maintains its signature Saturday night slot.
• Logistical Tweaks: The Canadian GP moves up from the tenth round to the seventh, and Monaco now runs directly ahead of the Spanish GP in Barcelona, streamlining the European leg of the season.

What's next:

With the schedule set, all eyes now turn to the new 2026 technical regulations, which will introduce a completely new generation of cars and power units. The season will kick off on March 8 in Melbourne, where teams will finally unveil their creations and begin a battle that could redefine the competitive order of Formula 1 for years to come.