2026 F1 calendar: The revised schedule and start times
Where will Formula 1 end the 2026 season? The final two races of this year's calendar remain in doubt as the Iranian conflict continues to cast a shadow over the Middle East - and racing schedules
The 2026 Formula 1 season isn’t settled yet – but it turns out the calendar for this year isn’t either. F1’s title decider is traditionally in Abu Dhabi, but the final two races in the Middle East will be replaced with a single grand prix in Imola.
The main cause of this is the Iranian conflict, which prevented Formula 1 from racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at the start of the season, and also delayed the announcement of the 2027 F1 calendar.
Formula 1’s 2026 season is increasingly looking like Imola
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said repeatedly that if the Gulf rounds can’t happen, the championship will finish in Europe instead, and with continuing missile attacks on Middle East states, that possibility is looking more likely.
Imola is reportedly ready to hold a race on December 6, which is still officially the date of the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. If F1 can’t travel to the region, then the penultimate race, due to be held in Qatar, will be scrapped entirely.
A 22 or 23 race Formula 1 season
As it currently stands, the 2026 Formula 1 calendar has 23 rounds, with Malaysia’s Sepang circuit hosting the “Bahrain Grand Prix”, which could not be held in April as planned.
The paddock also skipped Saudi Arabia, which is not being replaced.
Questions now remain over the final Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds, which are scheduled for November 29 and December 6.
Missile and drone attacks are still being reported in the region, and if the region is not deemed safe for Formula 1 — or if transport restrictions prove restrictive — then it is expected that Imola will host the final race of the season on December 6; another home round for Kimi Antonelli looks set the end the year as Formula 1 world champion.
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2026 Formula 1 calendar
| Date | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 06-08 March | Australia | Melbourne |
| 13-15 March (Sprint) | China | Shanghai |
| 27-29 March | Japan | Suzuka |
| 01-03 May | USA | Miami |
| 22-24 May (Sprint) | Canada | Montreal |
| 05-07 June | Monaco | Monaco |
| 12–14 June | Spain | Barcelona-Catalunya |
| 26-28 June | Austria | Spielberg |
| 03-05 July (Sprint) | United Kingdom | Silverstone |
| 17-19 July | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| 24-26 July | Hungary | Budapest |
| 21-23 August (Sprint) | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
| 04-06 September | Italy | Monza |
| 11-13 September | Spain | Madrid |
| 25-27 September | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| 2-4 October | Bahrain GP* | Sepang Circuit |
| 09-11 October (Sprint) | Singapore | Singapore |
| 23-25 October | USA | Austin |
| 30 October – 01 November | Mexico | Mexico City |
| 06-08 November | Brazil | São Paulo |
| 20-22 November | USA | Las Vegas |
| 27-29 November | Qatar | Lusail |
| 4-6 December | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
| 04-06 December | Italy | Imola** |
*Unconfirmed
* The rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix will confusingly be held at Malaysia’s Sepang circuit due to the Iranian conflict
** Imola is set to replace the final two rounds if F1 cannot race in the Middle East
2026 F1 race start times
| Venue, race date | Sprint (local time) | Qualifying (local time) | Race (local time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia, Mar 8 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| China, Mar 15 | 11am | 3pm | 2pm |
| Japan, Mar 29 | – | 3pm | 2pm |
| Miami, May 3 | 12pm | 4pm | 4pm |
| Canada, May 24 | 12pm | 4pm | 4pm |
| Monaco, Jun 7 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Barcelona, Jun 14 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Austria, Jun 28 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Great Britain, Jul 5 | 12pm | 4pm | 3pm |
| Belgium, Jul 19 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Hungary, Jul 26 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Netherlands, Aug 23 | 1200 | 4pm | 3pm |
| Italy, Sep 6 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Spain, Sep 13 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Azerbaijan, Sep 26 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Singapore, Oct 11 | 12pm | 2100 | 8pm |
| United States, Oct 25 | – | 4pm | 3pm |
| Mexico, Nov 1 | – | 3pm | 2pm |
| Brazil, Nov 8 | – | 3pm | 2pm |
| Las Vegas, Nov 21 | – | 8pm | 8pm |