Formula 1 has officially unveiled the pre-season testing schedule for the 2026 season, featuring three pivotal sessions and a slight reshuffle to the race calendar.
These updates are geared toward ensuring logistical fluidity and honouring key stakeholder requests.
The opening round of testing will be a private session held at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26–30, offering teams their first on-track evaluation of the new machinery. The spotlight then shifts to the Bahrain International Circuit for two back-to-back testing phases scheduled for February 11–13 and February 18–20, respectively.
Following these comprehensive preparations, the 2026 season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place from March 6–8.
In an additional calendar update, Formula 1 and the FIA confirmed the rescheduling of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Originally slated for Sunday, September 27, the event has now been moved up a day to Saturday, September 26. This adjustment honours a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and government stakeholders, aligning the event with a national day observance. All teams have been briefed regarding the shift, which will see the event’s full schedule brought forward by one day.
These developments reflect the sport’s continued commitment to operational clarity and global coordination as anticipation builds for the 2026 season.
