Madrid to Debut on 2026 F1 Calendar as Imola Dropped
Spanish capital joins F1 calendar with new street circuit as part of 2026 schedule reshuffle focused on sustainability and logistics
Formula 1 will welcome a new race in 2026 as Madrid joins the calendar, replacing Italy’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola. The Spanish capital will host its debut event on 11-13 September, marking the end of the uninterrupted European leg of the season.
The Madrid Grand Prix will take place on a brand-new 5.47km circuit built around the Ifema exhibition centre, located between central Madrid and Barajas airport. This addition makes Madrid the second Spanish venue on the calendar, alongside Barcelona, which retains its slot on 12-14 June for the final year of its current contract.
Streamlining the Schedule
Madrid’s inclusion is part of a wider reshuffle of the 2026 F1 calendar, which remains at 24 races. The changes are aimed at improving logistical efficiency and reducing the sport’s carbon footprint. For example, the Canadian Grand Prix has moved forward to 22-24 May, aligning it more closely with the Miami race on 1-3 May. This adjustment allows equipment to be transported more efficiently between North American rounds.
Monaco, traditionally held in late May, now shifts to 5-7 June to accommodate these changes.
Revised 2026 F1 Calendar Highlights
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Season start: Australia (Melbourne), 6-8 March
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Back-to-back North American rounds: Miami (1-3 May) followed by Canada (22-24 May)
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European stretch: From Monaco (5-7 June) through to Madrid (11-13 September)
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Final European race: Madrid
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Season end: Abu Dhabi (4-6 December)
Notable Changes and Departures
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The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will take place on 21-23 August and will mark its final appearance on the F1 calendar.
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Bahrain and Saudi Arabia remain paired in April, scheduled a week apart, while the Japan-China pairing has a two-week gap for better spacing.
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The season concludes with two triple-headers: Austin–Mexico–Brazil and Las Vegas–Qatar–Abu Dhabi.
The scheduling changes align with F1’s sustainability goals, including the introduction of revised engines running on 100% sustainable fuels from 2026.
