Rumors About the Upcoming Calendar
“Italy has always represented and will continue to represent an important part of F1. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to have two GPs in the same country because interest in Formula 1 is growing. This is a situation we will have to address in the coming months, and it’s unlikely that it can continue for much longer. In the coming months, we’ll face this decision. From a human perspective, it won’t be easy, but I have to fulfill an international role that puts me in front of numerous requests from emerging countries around the world that can allow F1 to grow. It’s a decision I’ll soon have to make definitively.”
With these words, spoken during La politica nel pallone on GR Parlamento, Liberty Media CEO Stefano Domenicali effectively anticipated that it is very unlikely Imola will remain on the F1 calendar beyond its current contract, which expires in 2025.
The Italian GP at Monza has already confirmed its renewal with F1 through 2031, meaning Imola appears to be stepping aside after rejoining the calendar in 2020, when it was called upon to fill gaps during the pandemic’s makeshift schedule. However, one European country will host two races in 2026 — Spain. That year, both Barcelona and Madrid will be featured, although from 2027 onward, there likely won’t be room for Montmeló on the F1 calendar.
According to journalist Joe Saward in the latest post on his blog, the 2026 Formula 1 championship will start in Australia one week earlier than it does in 2025, and race logistics will be further optimized by moving the Canadian GP to May to group it with the Miami round — the first of three races in the United States alongside Austin and Las Vegas.
With Imola out, Monaco will become the first European stop, followed by the Barcelona race. Construction at the Madrid circuit will be completed in May, with its calendar debut expected in September, after the Italian GP at Monza.
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