Lawson's Red Bull Dream Evolves Amid Major F1 2026 Calendar and Sprint Race Updates

Liam Lawson's Evolving F1 Ambition

Liam Lawson has revealed his long-held dream of becoming an F1 champion is no longer as clear-cut after being dropped by Red Bull earlier this year. Following an unexpected promotion last season, replacing Sergio Perez at Red Bull for just 12 Grand Prix races, Lawson's perspective on his path has shifted.

F1's 2026 Calendar Overhaul

The big picture: Formula 1 has confirmed the six circuits that will host sprint events in the 2026 season, with discussions underway to potentially double the number of sprint races. This move is part of a broader calendar shake-up that includes adjusted race start times and strategic scheduling to avoid clashes with other major motorsport events.

Why it matters: These changes aim to enhance F1's global appeal, streamline its logistics, and deliver more action for fans while managing the sport's environmental impact.

The details:

• Sprint Calendar: The confirmed 2026 sprint locations are Shanghai, Miami, Montreal, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore. F1 is actively discussing increasing this to 12 sprint rounds.
• Race Start Times: F1 has officially released the start times for all 2026 Grand Prix events, with the season beginning in Australia in early March and concluding in Abu Dhabi in December.
• Indy 500 Clash Avoided: A crucial compromise with IndyCar has been reached, moving the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix forward by three weeks to prevent a direct conflict with the Indianapolis 500. This adjustment supports F1's regionalization efforts and its 2030 net-zero carbon goal.

Team and Driver Updates

• Cadillac's F1 Progress: Cadillac team principal Graeme Lowdon announced that the American outfit is 'on schedule' with the production of its inaugural F1 cars for the 2026 season. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are expected to drive for the new 11th team.
• Aston Martin Identifies Alonso's Suspension Failure: Aston Martin has confirmed the cause of Fernando Alonso's sudden suspension failure during the recent Italian Grand Prix. Alonso, who started eighth, was running in a strong seventh position before the incident.

What's next: F1 continues to strategize for its future, with significant changes coming in 2026 affecting both the sporting format and team line-ups. Further announcements on sprint race expansion are anticipated.