The Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of Formula 1, has just released the 2026 calendar, which surprised everyone with unexpected changes. A famous racetrack is leaving the circuit for another major city; Changes to the calendar and new companies join F1; New cars powered by 100% sustainable fuel; Changes to the rules and calendar. What can we expect from next year in F1? You can check out these and other news below.
Surprise and excitement at F1’s changes
We’re still in 2025, the F1 season is far from over, but the FIA is already in full swing planning for next season, and the 2026 calendar caused quite a stir when it was released. Many things will be different in F1 in 2026, but let’s start with what has remained the same: the competition format will still consist of 24 rounds, visiting five of the seven continents around the world over the course of the season.
However, some shocking changes are already planned. The first change is the replacement of one venue with another: Madrid is in and Imola is out. After 45 years without hosting an F1 event, Madrid will return to the circuits next season with a new look. The unexpected change by the audience occurred because Imola’s contract was already ending, and to maintain F1’s agreement of only 24 races in the competition, a venue needed to leave to replace Madrid.
In addition to this change, there is also a more general change in the F1 calendar. The Monaco GP was moved to June, when previously it took place in May. This is now the Montreal GP, and the competition starts again in Australia because of Ramadan in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, where the competition used to start. And, finally, new companies join the F1 Grid: Audi, Cadillac, and Ford.
Formula 1 sustainability agenda
Another major change for the 2026 F1 season is the adoption of a new set of rules, which require the competition require the competition to invest in hybrid car models, 50% electric — with energy coming from a battery — and the other 50% coming from an internal combustion engine, but which must be powered by a sustainable fuel. This change represents a major step forward for F1 in its new sustainability and more conscious agenda, regarding its impact on the planet’s pollution.
Reducing carbon emissions is the point
After some pressure to implement more sustainable measures in sport, one of its current commitments is to significantly reduce carbon emissions throughout the new season, and this has even directly influenced the change in the calendar. The FIA’s strategy was to place the closest countries in sequence on the competition calendar to reduce the distance between GPs and thus reduce the emission of polluting gases from the means of transport used by drivers and their teams.
“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” – Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.
A new chapter for Formula 1 arrives in 2026
All these changes for the 2026 F1 calendar were undoubtedly unexpected, but despite that, they are good changes for the dynamics of the event, which was already falling into oblivion in some GPs.
With these actions, the F1 and FIA, in this way, show that reinventing and updating oneself in the face of changes in the world and sport is very important, especially the adoption of more sustainable measures, an essential agenda for the future of the sport. A new chapter of Formula 1 arrives in 2026, and promises to keep fans glued to the screen — and to the track.
