Formula One and the FIA have announced the pre-season testing dates for the 2026 season, marking a surprising shift to a January start from the traditional February schedule, given the sport’s entry into a new era of regulations.
The 2026 season will witness cars that are smaller and lighter. However, the biggest change will be how they are powered. In a bid for sustainability, the cars will feature power units that run on electric power and internal combustion, backed by sustainable fuels. The two power sources will be split equally, which is a first for the sport.
With the new regulations, F1 teams require adequate testing time before the season begins in March, especially when they have only been allowed to work on the 2026 cars from this year. Thus, as opposed to the usual pre-season testing session held towards the end of February, F1 has scheduled three rounds of testing starting on 26 January.
F1 2026 pre-season testing schedule
1) 26-30 January: The first test will be a private test and will take place at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
2) 1-13 February: The second test will be conducted at the Bahrain International Circuit.
3) 18-20 February: The third test will be conducted at the Bahrain International Circuit.
2026 will also witness the historic onboarding of F1’s eleventh team, Cadillac F1. The outfit is presently focused on designing its title challenger, but on the matter of signing drivers, team principal Graeme Lowdon said:
“We are either planning or have spoken to you know probably seven or eight drivers all together. It would be no surprise that anybody who has got recent Formula 1 experience would be included in that list but I would stress that at the moment, any discussions are very preliminary.
“They are just really trying to get to know what people’s interest levels are, what their motivations are. We’re certainly not in advanced discussions with any driver.”
Revealing that a selection will be made based on merit, he added:
“There’s a bunch of people with a lot of experience — not just ‘turn up and drive’ experience; people who’ve been in championship winning teams or race winning teams.
“But also, people who are younger, who’ve got experience as well. Also promising drivers who haven’t yet had concrete experience, but they have proven themselves in junior formula and junior categories as well.”
The 2026 F1 Schedule
6–8 March – Australia – Melbourne
13–15 March – China – Shanghai
27–29 March – Japan – Suzuka
10–12 April – Bahrain – Sakhir
17–19 April – Saudi Arabia – Jeddah
1–3 May – USA – Miami
22–24 May – Canada – Montreal
5–7 June – Monaco – Monaco
12–14 June – Spain – Barcelona
26–28 June – Austria – Spielberg
3–5 July – United Kingdom – Silverstone
17–19 July – Belgium – Spa
24–26 July – Hungary – Budapest
21–23 August – Netherlands – Zandvoort
4–6 September – Italy – Monza
11–13 September – Spain – Madrid
24–26 September – Azerbaijan – Baku
9–11 October – Singapore – Singapore
23–25 October – USA – Austin
30 October – 1 November – Mexico – Mexico City
6–8 November – Brazil – São Paulo
19–21 November – USA – Las Vegas
27–29 November – Qatar – Lusail
4–6 December – Abu Dhabi – Yas Marina
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