2026 Grand Prix Events: Full F1 Race Calendar and Centenary Celebrations
30th Apr 2026
For more than a century, Brooklands has played a central role in Britain’s motorsport story. The historic circuit in Weybridge, Surrey, hosted the country’s earliest Grand Prix races and helped shape the engineering ambition that continues to define modern Formula 1.
Today, visitors to Brooklands Museum can explore that legacy first-hand. From pioneering racing cars to interactive experiences inspired by modern Grand Prix technology, the site connects the origins of British motorsport with the global spectacle that Formula 1 has become.
Visitors to Brooklands Museum can also explore an engaging Formula 1 display, offering a glimpse into the technology and excitement behind modern Grand Prix racing.
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McLaren MP4-21 F1 Show Car Simulator, giving visitors the chance to experience the speed and intensity of a Grand Prix circuit.
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Formula 1-themed exhibit highlighting the engineering, design, and innovation behind the sport.
- Connections to British motorsport history, linking today’s Formula 1 championship with Brooklands’ role in the early development of Grand Prix racing.
The modern Formula 1 championship now spans multiple continents and attracts hundreds of millions of fans each season. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues that global journey, featuring 24 races across five continents, from the opening round in Melbourne to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Below is the full 2026 F1 race calendar, including key dates and notable updates for the season.
2026 F1 Race Calendar
The 2026 Formula 1 season began with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 6-8 March and concludes on 4-6 December at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Featuring a record-equalling 24 rounds across five continents, the calendar reflects Formula 1’s continued global growth while introducing meaningful changes to improve scheduling and sustainability.
Among the most notable updates are the debut of a new street circuit in Madrid and the relocation of the Canadian Grand Prix to May, creating a more logical geographical flow during the European and North American legs of the season.
March
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Round 1: Australian Grand Prix, 6–8 March, Melbourne - won by George Russell (Mercedes)
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Round 2: Chinese Grand Prix (Sprint), 13–15 March, Shanghai - won by Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
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Round 3: Japanese Grand Prix, 27–29 March, Suzuka - won by Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
The season opened at the iconic Albert Park Circuit before it made its way to Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the year. Suzuka closes out March with its demanding high-speed corners, often an early indicator of championship form.
April
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Round 4: Bahrain Grand Prix, 10–12 April, Sakhir - won by Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
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Round 5: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, 17–19 April, Jeddah - won by Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
The championship moves to the Middle East for back-to-back races. Bahrain’s technical layout contrasts with the high-speed street challenge of Jeddah, offering varied tests for teams adapting to new regulations.
May
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Round 6: Miami Grand Prix (Sprint), 1–3 May, Miami
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Round 7: Canadian Grand Prix (Sprint), 22–24 May, Montreal
May features two Sprint events. The Canadian Grand Prix’s shift to this slot improves travel efficiency and creates a stronger North American sequence within the calendar.
June
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Round 8: Monaco Grand Prix, 5–7 June, Monaco
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Round 9: Barcelona Grand Prix, 12–14 June, Barcelona
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Round 10: Austrian Grand Prix, 26–28 June, Spielberg
The European season gathers pace with the prestige of Monaco, followed by the technical challenge of Barcelona and the sweeping elevation changes of Spielberg.
July
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Round 11: British Grand Prix (Sprint), 3–5 July, Silverstone
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Round 12: Belgian Grand Prix, 17–19 July, Spa-Francorchamps
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Round 13: Hungarian Grand Prix, 24–26 July, Budapest
Silverstone hosts another Sprint weekend before the championship heads to the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit and then Budapest’s tight and twisting layout ahead of the summer break.
August
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Round 14: Dutch Grand Prix (Sprint), 21–23 August, Zandvoort
Racing resumes at Zandvoort, where undulating corners and passionate crowds create one of the season’s most distinctive atmospheres.
September
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Round 15: Italian Grand Prix, 4–6 September, Monza
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Round 16: Spanish Grand Prix (Madrid), 11–13 September, Madrid
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Round 17: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, 24–26 September, Baku
September delivers a mix of tradition and innovation. Monza remains the temple of speed, while Madrid debuts as a new street circuit on the calendar. Baku’s long straights and tight corners continue to produce unpredictable results.
October
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Round 18: Singapore Grand Prix (Sprint), 9–11 October, Singapore
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Round 19: United States Grand Prix, 23–25 October, Austin
Night racing returns in Singapore before the championship moves to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, a venue known for its dramatic elevation changes and overtaking opportunities.
November
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Round 20: Mexico City Grand Prix, 30 October – 1 November, Mexico City
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Round 21: São Paulo Grand Prix, 6–8 November, São Paulo
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Round 22: Las Vegas Grand Prix, 19–21 November, Las Vegas
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Round 23: Qatar Grand Prix, 27–29 November, Lusail
The final intercontinental stretch sees teams travel from high-altitude Mexico City to Brazil’s Interlagos circuit, then on to the spectacle of Las Vegas and the desert setting of Lusail.
December
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Round 24: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, 4–6 December, Yas Marina
The season concludes under the lights at Yas Marina, where championship battles are often decided in dramatic fashion.
Historic Races on the 2026 Calendar
While Formula 1 continues to expand into new cities, several races on the 2026 calendar remain cornerstones of the sport’s heritage. These Grands Prix connect today’s drivers and teams with decades of innovation, rivalry, and unforgettable moments.
Monaco Grand Prix
Held on the streets of Monte Carlo since 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in motorsport. The narrow layout leaves no margin for error, demanding precision and concentration over outright speed. Victory here is considered a career-defining achievement.
British Grand Prix
The British Grand Prix at Silverstone occupies a special place in Formula 1 history. Silverstone hosted the very first official World Championship race in 1950 and has remained a staple of the calendar ever since. Its sweeping corners reward bravery and aerodynamic efficiency, while passionate crowds create an electric atmosphere.
Italian Grand Prix
Monza, known as the Temple of Speed, has featured on the championship calendar since its inception. Long straights and high-speed corners produce some of the fastest laps of the season, and the passionate tifosi ensure a dramatic backdrop. Monza’s legacy reflects the evolution of Formula 1 engineering across generations.
Belgian Grand Prix
Spa-Francorchamps remains one of the most challenging circuits in the world. Its combination of elevation change, unpredictable weather, and iconic corners such as Eau Rouge has tested drivers for decades. Success at Spa often signals true driving excellence.
By including these historic venues alongside newer additions such as Madrid, the 2026 calendar balances tradition with modern ambition, preserving the sport’s legacy while continuing to evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 Formula 1 season start and end?
The season begins on 6-8 March with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and concludes on 4-6 December at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
How many races are scheduled for 2026?
The 2026 season features 24 rounds, equalling the largest calendar in Formula 1 history.
Which race is new for 2026?
Madrid joins the calendar as a new street circuit, adding a fresh European venue to the schedule.
How many Sprint weekends are planned?
Sprint events will take place in China, Miami, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore.
When does pre-season testing take place?
Testing begins with a private shakedown in late January, followed by two official pre-season tests in Bahrain during February. These sessions allow teams to prepare for the major technical regulation changes introduced for 2026.
Experience Formula 1 at Brooklands Museum
For fans inspired by the 2026 calendar, there is no need to wait for race weekend to feel the thrill of Formula 1.
At Brooklands Museum, visitors can explore a dedicated F1 museum experience that celebrates Britain’s rich motorsport heritage and the evolution of Grand Prix racing.
Young racers and seasoned enthusiasts alike can step into the McLaren MP4-21 F1 Show Car Simulator, the very model that marked Sir Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 debut season, and experience the intensity of a Grand Prix circuit in a safe and immersive environment.
In 2026, Brooklands Museum will also mark a landmark moment in British motorsport history with its Grand Prix Centenary 2026 celebration, commemorating 100 years since Britain’s first Grand Prix was held at Brooklands. This special event offers a unique opportunity to connect the modern Formula 1 season with the birthplace of British Grand Prix racing.
Whether you are following the championship across five continents or discovering the sport for the first time, plan your visit to Brooklands Museum and take your seat in the simulator to begin your own racing story.