'ICONIC' FORMULA ONE TRACK AXED FROM THE CALENDAR, LEAVING FANS FURIOUS AS IT'S REPLACED BY A NEW STREET CIRCUIT

• The F1 calendar for the 2026 season was confirmed in an announcement 
• Fans have voiced their dismay over one popular race being axed
• There is also set to be a new race in a popular European capital for the first time

The Formula One calendar for the 2026 season has been confirmed in an announcement released by the organisation on Tuesday morning. 

It will see another 24-race campaign take place, but with one fan-favourite Grand Prix nowhere to be seen on the list. 

Meanwhile, a new race in Madrid has been earmarked for the weekend of September 11-13 subject to FIA approval of the circuit.

The sport's traditional curtain-raiser in Australia will occur from March 6-8 with the final race of the season being the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4-6. 

Elsewhere, the Canadian Grand Prix will be moved to an earlier slot on the penultimate weekend of May as the FIA implements further 'improvements to the geographical flow of races' - meaning it will follow the race in Miami. 

That paves the way for an expanded European run of races, beginning with the Monaco Grand Prix on the first weekend of June and culminating with the new race in the Spanish capital. 

However, some fans were dismayed to learn that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - held at the historic Imola circuit in San Marino - had been omitted. 

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: 'Woke up to the worst news ever. imola GP, you will be deeply missed'. 

A second lamented: 'We lost Imola to add another street circuit and five million years more of Miami GP'. 

Another remarked: 'it's very sad & disappointing that Imola is not on the calendar'. 

A further comment questioned: 'A country can't have more than one Grand Prix, so no Imola, but here you go with two races in Spain and three in the United States'. 

With Ramadan taking place throughout February and March in 2026, both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be held in April. 

Following the new race in Madrid, the sport will return to Asia for the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, prior to three successive races in the Americas, before Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season. 

Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: '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.

'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 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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2025-06-10T07:52:12Z