Photo: Race Pictures

The key dates to save in the calendar ahead of the 2026 F1 season

15:38, 13 Nov

Updated: 16:23, 13 Nov

byKada Sarkozi

As the 2025 season is soon coming to a close, the fans' eyes are turning to 2026. Here are the key milestones as a major regulation change takes effect next season.

While there are still three rounds to go in 2025, preparations for the next year are well underway.

Over the past days, Cadillac has completed its first TPC run with Sergio Perez driving the 2023 Ferrari, and Audi revealed its concept car for the upcoming campaign.

The final Pirelli tyre test

On 9 December, two days after the conclusion of the 2025 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, a Pirelli tyre test is scheduled to be held at the Yas Marina Circuit.

The compounds for the 2026 season will have to be homologated by 15 December, but in principle, teams and drivers will run the final compounds for next year using a mule car, which makes this test important in terms of gathering data.

All teams will participate in the Pirelli test. On the same day, a young driver test will also take place.

Max Verstappen in the RB21 - Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

2026 car reveals

As GPblog was the first to reveal, Red Bull Racing has confirmed that its car launch will take place on 15 January in Detroit, Michigan — the home of engine partner Ford.

Alongside the RB22, the Racing Bulls car for the 2026 season will also be unveiled at the event.

GPblog' has learned that most teams intend to organize a launch event for their 2026 challengers, with several teams planning to pick a moment around the tests. There won't be a big joint event like in 2025.

Pre-season tests

There will be various tests in the 2026 pre-season. First, all 11 teams will travel to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

It will be a five-day event behind closed doors, from 26 to 30 January.

There will be two further tests held in Sakhir at the Bahrain International Circuit. Those will take place from 11–13 February and again from 18–20 February.

When is the first Grand Prix in 2026?

Finally, it's time for the first Grand Prix of the upcoming season, which will take place in Melbourne, Australia. The opening race of the season will be held on 8 March, 2026.

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