Formula 1 teams will have more time to test their new cars for the 2026 rules overhaul, with the first of an expanded testing schedule slated for late January in Barcelona.
After the chequered flag falls in Abu Dhabi – and celebrations and commiserations have been had – eyes soon turn longingly to Formula 1’s resumption.
After a winter of innovation pre-season testing is the first chance to see the cars break cover and hit the track ahead of the first round of the season. This is the place to see ahead of time who has aced their next machine and stolen a march on the competition.
Season Opener Calendar Change
For the first time since 2020, Bahrain will not host the 2026 season-opener, with the Grand Prix taking place as the fourth round after races in Australia, China and Japan.
This will give a different twist to testing in 2026, similar to 2025, with the teams unable to enjoy the luxury of thousands of miles on the season’s opening circuit ahead of the race.
For the past three years, F1 teams have had just three days of official testing before the start of the championship. But with a major overhaul of the regulations coming in 2026, the amount of track time looks set to triple.
The introduction of new power units and significantly revised chassis regulations means that teams, and engine manufacturers, may need more time to iron out any potential issues.
Shakedown Testing Date
Current plans include a five-day shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on the 26-30 January, similar to the extra testing days granted in 2022, the last time F1 underwent a significant technical change.
The session is expected to be behind closed doors, with teams free to choose any three days within the five-day window for on-track running.
This approach is designed to help teams maximize their time efficiently, enabling them to adjust their schedules according to weather conditions and potential technical issues.
As F1 prepares for one of the most significant regulatory changes in its history, teams will also face the challenge of integrating fully sustainable fuels alongside a more powerful electric component. Ensuring reliability is expected to be one of the teams’ top priorities.
The early start is likely to give teams and engine manufacturers as much time as possible to identify and address any potential reliability issues. In 2022, several teams only discovered the severity of the porpoising phenomenon during pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Expanded Testing Dates
This also means that teams will need to adjust their development schedules, as they will need to have their cars ready to hit the track almost a month earlier than in 2025.
Following the Barcelona shakedown, testing is expected to continue in Bahrain, where two three-day sessions are planned, provisionally for the 12-14 February and then for the 18-20 February.
In recent years, the Sakhir circuit has become the venue for pre-season testing, with sessions traditionally held at the end of February, prior to the first race of the season being held at the same venue.
2026 F1 Calendar
Formula 1 and the FIA have announced the calendar for the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship, with drivers and teams set to embark on another 24-round campaign as new technical regulations and 100% advanced sustainable fuels come into play.
Starting with the Australian Grand Prix on the weekend of March 6-8 and concluding with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4-6, the F1 community will visit five of the world’s seven continents over the course of the year.
In 2026, Ramadan will take place throughout February and March, meaning the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will again be held in April.
The calendar sees further improvements to the geographical flow of races, including the Canadian Grand Prix now following Miami in an earlier slot from May 22-24, delivering significant freight efficiencies as some equipment can move directly from one event to the other.
This change creates a consolidated European leg of the season across the summer months, beginning in Monaco from June 5-7 and finishing in Spain, where Madrid will make its F1 calendar debut from September 11-13.
The championship then returns to Asia with the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, ahead of a triple header in the Americas, before Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season.
The full 2026 F1 calendar can be viewed below:
2026 F1 calendar
| Date | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| March 6-8 | Australia | Melbourne |
| March 13-15 | China | Shanghai |
| March 27-29 | Japan | Suzuka |
| April 10-12 | Bahrain | Sakhir |
| April 17-19 | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah |
| May 1-3 | USA | Miami |
| May 22-24 | Canada | Montreal |
| June 5-7 | Monaco | Monaco |
| June 12-14 | Spain | Barcelona-Catalunya |
| June 26-28 | Austria | Spielberg |
| July 3-5 | United Kingdom | Silverstone |
| July 17-19 | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| July 24-26 | Hungary | Budapest |
| August 21-23 | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
| September 4-6 | Italy | Monza |
| September 11-13 | Spain | Madrid* |
| September 25-27 | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| October 9-11 | Singapore | Singapore |
| October 23-25 | USA | Austin |
| October 30 – November 1 | Mexico | Mexico City |
| November 6-8 | Brazil | Sao Paulo |
| November 19-21 | USA | Las Vegas |
| November 27-29 | Qatar | Lusail |
| December 4-6 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
| *Subject to FIA circuit homologation |
