The 2026 Formula One calendar: A backlash, a backtrack and a clash

The calendar for the 2026 F1 season makes minor changes to the schedule that have attracted major criticism. The accustomed 24 races remain, but despite fan efforts to ensure survival, the adored Imola has been replaced with a Madrid Street Circuit.

The outpouring of protest to the new schedule, via the online #KeepImola movement during and after this year’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, explains some of the disdain for Madrid. This is further compounded by the fact that it is a street circuit, a format often loathed by fans. Even Monaco, F1’s crown jewel, cannot escape this criticism, with overtakes few and far between at this year’s race.

The future for F1 that fans predict already appears to be taking shape

Furthermore, Madrid’s addition as the ninth street circuit has been cited by commenters on F1’s official YouTube channel as being indicative of the sport prioritising profit over retaining well-loved tracks and ensuring F1 remains a true “world championship”. To them, street circuits and multiple races in one country (specifically the USA) take deserved slots away from significant, historic and purpose-built tracks in countries like France, Germany and even South Africa, which last hosted races in 2022, 2019 and 1993 respectively.

The future for F1 that fans predict already appears to be taking shape. Not only will 2026 be the last edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, but news at the beginning of the year revealed that the Belgian Grand Prix, which has run in some form in almost every F1 season, will be absent from the 2028 and 2030 seasons due to rotation.

Another criticism of the calendar stems from Monaco and Canada having different dates for 2026. The controversy here is a direct clash between the Canadian Grand Prix and the Indianapolis 500, whereas in previous years, including 2025, Monaco was on the same day as the Indy 500, meaning motorsport fans could watch both due to the difference in time zones.

Should this issue rear its head, the FIA will undoubtedly look like fools

While the change in schedule for Canada does prevent longer travelling times for teams by placing it immediately after Miami, rather than a European triple-header, the Indy 500 would still cover the span of the Canadian Grand Prix despite starting about an hour earlier, according to The Race. The reaction to the broadcasting clash has been mixed, with some on The Race stating that people will simply watch one event live and the other afterwards. Others feel that the previous clash with Monaco was less consequential due to the sleepier nature of the race, with the contest in Canada often feeling more “real”.

Regardless of whether F1 loses viewers here, a more local concern could be seen to take precedence, as Canadian organisers believe weather could cause problems when getting the track up to standard due to snowstorms in late April. Should this issue rear its head, the FIA will undoubtedly look like fools and lose what little trust they have left in the fans.

Despite the overwhelmingly negative response to the 2026 F1 calendar, the FIA’s long-term planning for track contracts means they are unlikely to listen to concerns. It seems that cash, now more than ever, remains king in the sport.