F1 2026 calendar changed with pre-season test dates also announced

The 2026 Formula 1 calendar has been tweaked with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moving forward “to accommodate a national day”.

It means the Baku race will now take place on Saturday 26 September, and not Sunday 27 September, while remaining as round 17 of the 24-race calendar having moved back a week from its 2025 slot.

The decision comes “following a request from the Azerbaijan promoter and relevant government stakeholders”, as Azerbaijan Remembrance Day occurs annually on 27 September.

“All the F1 teams have been informed of this change,” added the F1 press release and it means the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend will start with media day on the Wednesday, rather than a traditional Thursday.

Thursday 24 September will now feature the opening two practice sessions, with FP3 and qualifying taking place on Friday 25 September ahead of the Saturday race.

In the same announcement, F1 also confirmed the dates of its three pre-season tests to kickstart the new 2026 technical regulations. 

The first will be a five-day private test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 26-30 January to give teams the chance to learn more about the new regulations without the world watching.

It is similar to what F1 did in 2022 when the ground-effect era began, as a three-day private test was also held in Barcelona.

The next two tests will not be private and are set to occur in Bahrain on 11-13 February and 18-20 February, as Autosport first reported earlier this year. 

Next season will debut what promises to be the biggest regulation overhaul in F1 history, with both the chassis and power unit rules changing. 

Cars are set to become smaller and lighter, with active aerodynamics aiming to further reduce drag on the straights.

There will also be increased electrical power with the removal of an MGU-H, while sustainable fuels will be introduced.

2026 Formula 1 rules

Photo by: FIA

Controversy has surrounded the new regulations though, with recent calls to ditch them prematurely for the return of a V10 power unit – but that idea was quickly put to bed.

Reactions to the new regulations have been mixed across the paddock too, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc saying ahead of last weekend’s Austrian Grand prix that the 2026 car he drove on the simulator is “not the most enjoyable race car I’ve driven”.

But legendary designer Adrian Newey said he has been pleasantly surprised by the 2026 rules, which will also debut the Cadillac F1 team with Audi finally completing its full takeover of Sauber.

The season will start with the Australian Grand Prix on 8 March 2026 and conclude in Abu Dhabi on 6 December 2026.