Canada GP joins rationalisation of F1 2026 calendar

Formula 1 has confirmed the Canadian Grand Prix will join the sports efforts to rationalise the race calendar in a bid to be more sustainable, starting from 2026. 

Feature image credit: Red Bull Content Pool

It has been announced on Monday, November 18, that the Canadian GP Promoter, Octane Racing Group, alongside key stakeholders have agreed to support Formula 1’s efforts to rationalise the calendar to make it more sustainable for future events. 

Octane Racing Group and its stakeholders; Canadian Government, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Ministry of Tourism (Quebec), the city of Montreal., Tourism Montreal and Societe du parc Jean-Drapeau were all reportedly involved in the process. 

From 2026, the collaboration and renewed commitment from the relevant parties means the Canadian race will be planned to go ahead on the third or fourth weekend of May each season. 

“I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian Grand Prix, from the local, to the provincial and national government,” commented Formula 1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicalli. 

“We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. The change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable, but logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel. 

“Our Net Zero by 2030 commitment continues to be a priority for us as a sport and it is thanks to changes like this that we are on track to hitting our goal.”

The Canadian Grand Prix is set to take place in May from 2026 onwards 🇨🇦

With collaboration from the promoter and key stakeholders, the new dates are part of our efforts to rationalise the calendar and make it more sustainable 🤝#F1https://t.co/QpOSR5Jpof

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 18, 2024

The decision to move the race around on the calendar will allow the European leg of the calendar to be completed in one consecutive period over the European summer months. It will also remove a need to transverse across the Atlantic Ocean every year, reducing significant carbon reductions. 

This decision is part of a wider movement within the sport to make F1 more sustainable as the Japanese Grand Prix has been moved to the Asia-Oceania regions at the start of the season, Azerbaijan moved to Autumn to accommodate the Singapore race. Qatar has also been adjusted to be more closer with the Abu Dhabi race, at the end of the season. 

More recently, the Monaco Grand Prix has been moved to be take place in the first full weekend of June, in 2026. 

On the announcement, CEO of Octane Racing Group, Jean-Philippe Paradis said: 

“This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as Formula 1’s, toward a more sustainable future. It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organization with environmental responsibility. 

“We are determined to offer our fans, our communities, and our loyal audience a unique and enriched experience, in addition to extending the summer season for Montreal. 

“The date change thus fully integrates into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, which is fully focused on delivering an amazing Canadian Grand Prix experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment.”

Despite this, all of the future F1 calendars remain subject of confirmation by the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

Read more Formula 1 here:

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• KitKat becomes official chocolate bar of F1 in multi-year agreement
• FIA President requested to ‘consider his own tone’ by F1 GPDA
• Kick Sauber confirm Gabriel Bortoleto for 2025 alongside Hulkenberg

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.