F1 and FIA presidents offer statements as 2026 calendar revealed

F1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali has vowed 2026 will be an "unforgettable season" as the new calendar has been revealed. 

Featuring 24 races, the 2026 calendar dropped on Tuesday morning, with F1's new era set to begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 8th, concluding with the Abu Dhabi GP on December 6th. 

Major changes include the moving of the Canadian GP forward to May 24th, meaning there will be a direct clash with the Indy 500 on that Sunday, with Monaco moving back to the first full weekend in June as part of the increased calendar regional grouping, designed to prevent a trip to Montreal once the European leg of the season kicks off.

Reacting to the calendar, F1 chief Domenicali was optimistic about the action which will unfold in F1's new era.

"2026 will be a new era for Formula 1 where we will witness a brand-new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel," Domenicali said in a statement. 

"We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac, and Ford join the Formula 1 grid. 

"It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel-to-wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe.

"I want to thank all our fans for their passionate support and the FIA, with all the volunteers, marshals and officials, as well as the promoters, partners, sponsors, host cities and the local motor racing federations for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule in what I know will be another historic year for Formula 1."

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FIA president pinpoints major improvement

Increased grouping of races to help reduce emissions and make the season more manageable for the paddock has been a major topic for F1 in recent years, with Canada now forming a North American leg with Miami in May. 

This was something FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem detailed in his comments.

"Next year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport," the he added. 

"A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition. With 24 Grands Prix across five continents, the season truly reflects the global nature of our community, while the improved geographical flow of the calendar shows our joint commitment to making the championship more efficient and sustainable. 

"The debut of Madrid, the arrival of iconic brands like Audi, Cadillac, and Ford, and the introduction of the next generation of F1 cars powered by 100% advanced sustainable fuels signal an exciting new era of racing. 

"My thanks to everyone involved in putting on this incredible season and in delivering a calendar that continues to drive the sport forward on all fronts. And, my thanks to the fans whose passion and unwavering support keep the spirit of our sport alive."