When does 2026 F1 season start?

The new season rolls around quickly, with the Australian Grand Prix hosting the season-opener in March

With a thrilling 2025 Formula 1 season concluding in Abu Dhabi, attention now turns to next season and a rule change which could shake-up the pecking order.

New engine and chassis regulations in 2026 mean the teams – including F1’s new outfit, Cadillac – will undergo three different pre-season tests, one in Barcelona and two in Bahrain.

Then, the season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the sport’s traditional curtain-raiser.

Lewis Hamilton will be eyeing a stronger 2026 season with Ferrari (Getty Images)

The 2026 campaign will again be a 24-race season, with a street race in Madrid in September the only new event on the schedule.

The full 2026 F1 calendar is below:

2026 F1 CALENDAR IN FULL

PRE-SEASON TEST 1 (private)

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 26-30 January

PRE-SEASON TEST 2

Bahrain International Circuit - 11-13 February

PRE-SEASON TEST 3

Bahrain International Circuit -18-20 February

ROUND 1 - AUSTRALIA

Albert Park, Melbourne - 6-8 March

ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend)

Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March

ROUND 3 - JAPAN

Suzuka International Racing Course - 27-29 March

ROUND 4 - BAHRAIN

Bahrain International Circuit - 10-12 April

ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA

Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 17-19 April

ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend)

Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 1-3 May

ROUND 7 - CANADA (sprint weekend)

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 22-24 May

ROUND 8 - MONACO

Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June

ROUND 9 - SPAIN (Barcelona)

Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June

ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA

Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June

ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)

Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July

ROUND 12 - BELGIUM

Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July

ROUND 13 - HUNGARY

Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July

ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)

Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August

ROUND 15 - ITALY

Monza Circuit - 4-6 September

ROUND 16 - SPAIN (Madrid)

Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September

ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN

Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September

ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)

Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October

ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES

Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October

ROUND 20 - MEXICO

Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November

ROUND 21 - BRAZIL

Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November

ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS

Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November

ROUND 23 - QATAR

Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November

ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI

Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December