F1 2026 calendar: 24 races, six sprints and a Madrid debut

1. Australia

Albert Park, Melbourne / March 6-8

The right place for an F1 season to start. For the first 16 laps of last year’s race, the top five ran in their final points order!

2. China

Shanghai / March 13-15

Not the best-loved track but racing here can be good. Features first sprint of the year – remember Hamilton’s 2025 win?

3. Japan

March 27-29

One of the great drivers’ circuits, which is probably why Verstappen is unbeaten in the past four races.

4. Bahrain

Sakhir / April 10-12

Usually one of the better tracks for racing, and an F1 test venue of choice. Piastri won in 2025.

5. Saudi Arabia

Jeddah Corniche / April 17-19

Incredibly high-speed for a temporary circuit, but track limits tend to make racing controversial.

6. Miami

Miami, US / May 1-3

Scene of McLaren’s renaissance in ’24 with Norris, and Piastri won in ’25. Second sprint of the year.

7. Canada

Montreal / May 22-24

One of the great races and venues this year gets a sprint for the first time. Rain can always throw a curveball here.

8. Monaco

Circuit de Monaco / June 5-7

Norris won in 2025 – and cried. That’s because this one’s a classic, even if there’s no overtaking.

9. Barcelona-Catalunya

Barcelona-Catalunya / June 12-14

Reprieved despite new Spanish GP venue. Verstappen’s moment of madness on Russell overshadowed Piastri’s ’25 win.

10. Austria

Spielberg / June 26-28

Russell and Norris have won the past two races. Beautiful setting and decent track, if not as great as Österrichring.

11. Great Britain

Silverstone / July 3-5

Scene of Hamilton’s last ‘on-the-road’ GP victory, but it was Norris prompting flag-waving in ’25. Sprint race on menu.

12. Belgium

Spa-Francorchamps / July 17-19

Few dislike Spa, especially umbrella manufacturers – and McLaren, which took a 1-2 in the Ardennes last year.

13. Hungary

Hungaroring / July 24-26

Track is a bit twisty but it’s a great place to spectate. McLaren unbeaten here in past two years.

14. Netherlands

Zandvoort / August 21-23

Zandvoort’s swansong (for now) gets a sprint for ’26. One of the best tracks in Europe, amid Verstappenmania.

15. Italy

Monza / September 4-6
Italy’s sole F1 venue again after sad dropping of Imola. Scene of start of Verstappen resurgence last term.

16. Spain

Madrid / September 11-13

Brand-new venue for the Spanish GP. Let’s hope they’ve produced a better track than they did in Valencia in ’08.

17. Azerbaijan

Baku / September 24-26

The ‘Macau’ of the F1 calendar features great racing and high drama. Don’t forget it’s on Saturday this year though.

18. Singapore

Marina Bay / October 9-11

For the first time, this event gets a sprint – the last of 2026. Russell and Mercedes hit form to win last year on tricky track.

19. United States

COTA, Austin, Texas / October 23-25

Who will be allegro in Austin? We’ll predict Verstappen, winner of four out of the past five on this modern classic.

20. Mexico City

Hermanos Rodriguez / Oct 30-Nov 1

Full of atmosphere – and track-limits fury. Expect an outbreak of Pérez fever as the crowd’s hero returns to the grid.

21. São Paulo

Interlagos / November 6-8

An absolutely classic track and fervent crowd make this a highlight. Weather can be random at this time of year too>.

22. Las Vegas

Nevada, US / November 19-21

It’s outlasted the old Caesars Palace car park track (just two F1 races). But you’ll need to be up at 4am to watch this one.

23. Qatar

Lusail / November 27-29

Designed for motorcycles, so four-wheel racing near-impossible. Verstappen unbeaten here in past three GPs.

24. Abu Dhabi

Yas Marina / December 4-6

Even if there’s a four-way title fight (see 2010), races here contrive to be dull. And if the title’s all done…