Overview
- Formula 1 will run 24 Grands Prix from March 6 in Melbourne to December 4 in Abu Dhabi, with Madrid debuting on September 11–13, Imola removed, and Bahrain and Saudi Arabia moved to April to respect Ramadan.
- The 2026 preseason features three blocks: a private shakedown at Barcelona on January 26–30, followed by Bahrain tests on February 11–13 and February 18–20.
- Teams have staggered launch plans, including Red Bull and Racing Bulls on January 15 in Detroit, Audi on January 20 in Berlin, Honda’s power unit on January 20 in Tokyo, Alpine on January 23 in Barcelona, Ferrari on January 23 in Fiorano, Haas online on January 23, Aston Martin on February 9 at Silverstone, and Cadillac during a February 8 Super Bowl spot.
- Cadillac joins the grid in 2026 with Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez, whose competitive return begins in Australia, and the team will unveil its car and livery during its Super Bowl presentation.
- Alpine will give Franco Colapinto his first on-track run in the A526 during a January 11 Barcelona shakedown alongside Pierre Gasly for 100 km, and the team confirmed Stuart Barlow will remain Colapinto’s race engineer.