F1 reach crucial compromise to avoid Indy 500 clash

F1 has reached a compromise with IndyCar to avoid a direct clash between the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix and the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500.

The round in Montreal has been moved forward three weeks from its usual mid-June slot - starting from next season - as part of F1's continued investment in calendar regionalisation and its work towards being carbon net zero by 2030.

In a straight swap with the Monaco Grand Prix, the annual visit to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will now take place around the end of May, allowing it to double-up with the Miami Grand Prix - although it will not be a 'double-header' next year.

However, this posed a problem for the 2026 F1 schedule, as the Canadian Grand Prix is in the same time zone as the Indy 500, creating a head-on conflict.

Therefore, to remedy the situation, F1 has pushed the race in Montreal from its usual 14:00 local start time back two hours, to 16:00 (21:00 in the UK and Ireland, and 22:00 in mainland Europe).

Unless there is a rain delay at the Indy 500, this will prevent both contests from being run simultaneously.

RacingNews365 understands F1 reached out to IndyCar to proactively engage in conversations to avoid a direct clash, and out of respect for the American series, with a later-than-normal start time the agreed compromise between the championships.

It is important to highlight that a weekend clash between the Canadian Grand Prix and the Indy 500 will not occur every year moving forward, but this measure allows motorsport fans to enjoy both events in 2026.

The day clash has not been a significant issue in the past, as the Monaco Grand Prix, being in Europe, is run earlier in the day than the famed race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that allowed two legs of the motorsport triple crown to share a weekend without being raced concurrently.