Madrid Makes F1 Debut in 2026 as Imola Drops Off Calendar
Formula 1’s 2026 season will mark a significant shift: the Madrid Grand Prix debuts on September 11–13, while the Emilia-Romagna race at Imola is dropped from the revamped 24-race calendar. 1. Madrid Debuts as Second Spanish Race Madrid returns to F1 after a 45-year hiatus, introducing the brand-new “Madring” street circuit around the IFEMA zone. Alongside Barcelona (June 12–14), Spain will now host two grands prix in 2026. 2. Imola Falls Off the Calendar Contractual expiry and logistical constraints resulted in Imola being removed. The iconic Italian circuit had been part of the calendar since 2020 but won’t return in 2026 unless future negotiations succeed . 3. Sustainability and Schedule Overhaul The revised schedule reflects F1’s drive for freight efficiency and sustainability. Races are grouped with geographic flow—e.g., Miami to Canada, then European triple headers—reducing carbon footprint. 4. Wider Calendar Changes Monaco shifts […]