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Final F1 2026 Season Launch: Melbourne Opens, Extensive Pre-Season Testing Ahead
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar has been finalized, kicking off in Australia with an extensive testing program scheduled ahead of the opening race.
By Michael de Vries - 2025-12-10T13:41:54.000Z - 1 min read
The 2026 Formula 1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix. From March 6 to 8, Melbourne will host the first of 24 races. The campaign concludes on December 6 with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The battle behind the scenes begins much earlier. Preparations get underway in early January with various testing sessions. Due to the new regulations, no fewer than three of these test sessions are scheduled, promising an intense period for the teams.
The first test session, at the end of January, will be held privately in Barcelona, Spain. Teams will put new components to the test there under the fresh rules. Two more test weeks will follow in Bahrain, where the cars will be further optimized. The unveiling of new liveries is also scheduled during this pre-season period.
Changes have also been made to the calendar itself. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix moves to Saturday, September 26, an adjustment made to accommodate the country's national holiday.
Furthermore, six sprint races are on the schedule for 2026. The shortened races will take place in Great Britain, China, Miami, Canada, the Netherlands, and Singapore.