F1 drops Imola as Madrid makes debut and Melbourne remains 2026 season opener

Formula One will have two races in Spain next season with Madrid making its debut in September and Italy’s Imola dropping off the 24-round calendar, governing body FIA has announced.

Melbourne’s Australian Grand Prix will again be the season-opener on March 8 with China’s Shanghai circuit hosting round two a week later, as the sport enters a new engine era with Cadillac also arriving as an 11th team.

Monaco will be the first European round on June 7 with Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya scheduled the following week.

Madrid’s new street circuit will debut as the last race in Europe on September 13, the weekend after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Imola was out of contract after this year’s race and drops off the list.

The season will end in Abu Dhabi on December 6.

“We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid,” said Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali in a statement released on Tuesday.

Swiss-based Sauber will become the Audi works team in 2026 while Ford are partnering with Red Bull.

Season 2026

March 8 - Australia, Melbourne

March 15 - China, Shanghai

March 29 - Japan, Suzuka

April 12 - Bahrain, Sakhir

April 19 - Saudi Arabia, Jeddah

May 3 - United States, Miami

May 24 - Canada, Montreal

June 7 - Monaco

June 14 - Spain, Barcelona

June 28 - Austria, Spielberg

July 5 - Britain, Silverstone

July 19 - Belgium, Spa-Francorchamps

July 26 - Hungary, Budapest

August 23 - Netherlands, Zandvoort

September 6 - Italy, Monza

September 13 - Spain, Madrid

September 27 - Azerbaijan, Baku

October 11 - Singapore

October 25 - United States, Austin

November 1 - Mexico, Mexico City

November 8 - Brazil, Sao Paulo

November 21 - United States, Las Vegas

November 29 - Qatar

December 6 - Abu Dhabi