F1 schedule: 2025 finale this weekend and the full 2026 race calendar at a glance

The F1 schedule is peaking with the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi this weekend (race day: Sunday, December 7), wrapping up a 24-round campaign that stretched from March to December. Even as attention stays on the title run-in, eyes are already turning to a refreshed 2026 F1 schedule that again features 24 Grands Prix, a re-ordered early-summer swing, and Spain hosting two stops as the sport transitions into a new technical era.

F1 schedule this weekend: Abu Dhabi wraps 2025

Abu Dhabi closes the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship with the traditional twilight race at Yas Marina. The Grand Prix caps a long year that included six Sprint weekends and a tight points battle among several front-running teams. Expect the usual end-of-season dynamics: strategic grid penalties, longer stints on hard compounds in the desert evening, and teams testing procedures that will carry into winter programs.

Key notes for fans:

• Race day is Sunday, December 7 (local evening start).

• It’s the final chance for constructors to lock in prize-money positions.

• Rookie evaluations and “year two” drivers often make a late-season leap here, shaping winter narratives.

2026 F1 schedule: dates, order, and what’s new

The 2026 F1 schedule maintains 24 rounds, opening in Australia and concluding in Abu Dhabi. The calendar emphasizes regional grouping to reduce long-haul whiplash while preserving marquee stops.

At a glance (rounds and dates):

1. Australia — March 6–8

2. China — March 13–15

3. Japan — March 27–29

4. Bahrain — April 10–12

5. Saudi Arabia — April 17–19

6. Miami (USA) — May 1–3

7. Canada — May 22–24

8. Monaco — June 5–7

9. Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain) — June 12–14

10. Austria — June 26–28

11. Great Britain — July 3–5

12. Belgium — July 17–19

13. Hungary — July 24–26

14. Netherlands — August 21–23

15. Italy (Monza) — September 4–6

16. Spain (Madrid) — September 11–13

17. Azerbaijan — September 24–26

18. Singapore — October 9–11

19. United States (Austin) — October 23–25

20. Mexico City — Oct 30–Nov 1

21. São Paulo — November 6–8

22. Las Vegas — November 19–21

23. Qatar — November 27–29

24. Abu Dhabi — December 4–6

What changed in the F1 schedule for 2026

• Early-summer reshuffle: Canada moves into late May, with Monaco following in early June. That swap creates a more coherent sequence and eases the jump between North America and Europe.

• Two stops in Spain: Barcelona-Catalunya keeps its traditional mid-June slot, while Madrid debuts in September under the Spanish Grand Prix title. The double-Spain arrangement balances heritage with a city-center showcase concept later in the year.

• Regional grouping stays front and center: Australia–China–Japan forms a compact opening trio; the Middle East hosts April’s pair; and the late-season Americas swing (Austin–Mexico–São Paulo–Las Vegas) remains a defining stretch.

Storylines the schedule sets up

1) Technical reset meets travel rhythm. With new regulations arriving in 2026, the front-loaded flyaways will stress reliability and efficiency. Teams that master freight planning and spare-pool management may gain an early edge before the European leg stabilizes development.

2) Summer pressure cooker. The June-to-July run (Monaco to Hungary) is a natural inflection point. Frequent upgrades typically land between Barcelona and Silverstone; a well-timed package could transform a season before the late-summer restart in the Netherlands and Italy.

3) Double-Spain dynamics. Barcelona remains a benchmark for aero efficiency and tire management, while Madrid’s urban profile should favor mechanical traction and low-speed ride. The contrast gives teams two distinct data sets inside the same market.

4) Title tilt in the Americas. The now-familiar October–November gauntlet rewards power-unit efficiency (Mexico), high-speed balance (Austin), and low-drag race craft (São Paulo), before Vegas adds a late-night strategic wildcard. The calendar continues to make North America pivotal for the championship.

How to follow the F1 schedule smoothly

• Lock the anchor dates: Australia (March 6–8) signals the start of the new era; the European launch pad begins with Monaco (June 5–7); the title often crystallizes from Austin (October 23–25) onward.

• Expect Sprint announcements closer to the season. Sprint venues and session formats are typically finalized separately; timetable specifics may adjust, but weekend dates remain as listed.

• Plan for local variations. Each Grand Prix publishes precise session times closer to race week. Times may shift slightly year-to-year, especially for night or twilight events.

The F1 schedule finishes 2025 in Abu Dhabi this Sunday and returns with a 24-race 2026 calendar that blends heritage rounds, a fresh Madrid debut, and a smarter seasonal flow. Mark the dates above, and be ready for an early-season sprint through Australia, China, and Japan before the championship heats up across Europe and is decided—again—on a blockbuster tour of the Americas.