The FIA and Formula 1 have formalized the sport’s pre-season testing schedule for 2026 while a slight date change has been confirmed for next year’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
The 2026 race in Baku City will take place a day earlier than initially planned “following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders” in order to accommodate the country’s Remembrance Day on September 27.
The event will therefore unfold over four days as normal – including media day – starting on September 23, with race day now scheduled on Saturday, September 26.
As the race weekend is not part of a double-header, no disruption is expected for the teams’ logistics as a consequence of the rescheduling tweak.
In addition to this change, Formula 1 has confirmed its pre-season testing dates that will provide teams with three specific test periods – instead of two – in a bid to give everyone more time to get to grips with the sport’s 2026 sweeping changes to both engine and chassis regulation.
26-30 January – Private test, Barcelona-Catalunya
11-13 February – Test 1, Bahrain
18-20 February – Test 2, Bahrain
As previously announced, Formula 1’s first five-day test in Barcelona will be held behind closed doors, with no TV coverage available and the circuit closed to spectators.
Two additional pre-season tests are scheduled in February in Bahrain, with both set to follow a more traditional format. The final test is confirmed for February 11–13 and will precede the start of the F1 season in Melbourne on March 8.
2026 Formula 1 Calendar
| Country | Circuit | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | Melbourne | March 6-8 |
| 2 | China | Shanghai | March 13-15 |
| 3 | Japan | Suzuka | March 27-29 |
| 4 | Bahrain | Sakhir | April 10-12 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | April 17-19 |
| 6 | USA | Miami | May 1-3 |
| 7 | Canada | Montreal | May 22-24 |
| 8 | Monaco | Monaco | June 5-7 |
| 9 | Spain | Barcelona-Catalunya | June 12-14 |
| 10 | Austria | Spielberg | June 26-28 |
| 11 | United Kingdom | Silverstone | July 3-5 |
| 12 | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps | July 17-19 |
| 13 | Hungary | Budapest | July 24-26 |
| 14 | Netherlands | Zandvoort | August 21-23 |
| 15 | Italy | Monza | September 4-6 |
| 16 | Spain | Madrid | September 11-13 |
| 17 | Azerbaijan | Baku | September 24-26 |
| 18 | Singapore | Singapore | October 9-11 |
| 19 | USA | Austin | October 23-25 |
| 20 | Mexico | Mexico City | October 30 – November 1 |
| 21 | Brazil | Sao Paulo | November 6-8 |
| 22 | USA | Las Vegas | November 19-21 |
| 23 | Qatar | Lusail | November 27-29 |
| 24 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina | December 4-6 |
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