New F1 calendar and dramatic rule changes for 2026 – The Formula One schedule for 2026 has now been released with the latest street circuit replacing yet another F1 classic venue on the calendar. Madrid comes in and Imola is out, despite the race organisers for the new race in the Spanish capital having so far failing to receive the commercial sponsorship they expected.
Once a stalwart of the F1 calendar from the early eighties until 2006, Imola has in recent times been used as a temporary back stop to make up the total number of races to the maximum 24 agreed between the teams and the FIA. It returned to the schedule during Covid in 2020, when a number of regular F1 host countries had locked their doors to outsiders.
Renamed, the Emilia-Romagne Grand Prix, the classic race once known as the San Marino Grand Prix was initially intended as a one off race for 2020 although it was retained further for a number of reasons. With China remaining closed to the world in 2021, the race was given a reprieve which was also the case in 2022 when F1 decided to award the venue a contract until 2025.
Imola reprieve after failed Vietnamese GP
Uncertainties over the Vietnamese Grand Prix, which was ultimately lost due to internal political power struggles, gave the Imola event an extended life span but now F1 is back on track with new venues close to being ready, the Emilia-Romagne Grand Prix has been forced to give way.
Today the organisers of the second Italian race have issued a statement expressing their disappointment. “This is news we were aware of and which, understandably, generates questions, disappointment and bitterness, because in recent years our territory has shown that it can host an extraordinary event with record numbers.” Yet hope springs eternal for the organisers given the new Madrid circuit has yet to receive its grade one license from the FIA. Officials confirmed that “necessary resources” have been allocated for 2026, should for any reason Madrid fail to make it across the line in time.
Whilst the Spanish capital has over twelve months to resolve its issues over the proposed motor racing circuit, time is getting tight and Imola may yet be given a reprieve. Formula One is attempting to regionalise its racing schedule in 2026 and for the first time the European season will be unbroken with trips to Miami and Canada.
A clash with ‘the greatest spectacle in racing’ is the result of this new plan, where the Indy500 will be running as the Canadian Grand Prix lights go out. Whist this can in some way be excused as the FIA does not regulate North American single seater racing, but the clash with Le Mans is unforgivable as many motorsports fans follow the longest race on earth as they do their favourite F1 drivers.
Wolff refuses new F1 power unit changes
With the biggest ever change of F1 car and power unit design regulations coming in 2026, there remains uncertainty as to whether the new cars will operate in the expected parameters as specified. Questions over the huge 50% contribution from the electrical power is now being openly questioned as a number of teams have simulated the internal combustion engine acting merely as a generator at certain tracks where regenerative braking energy recovery is small.
A circuit like Monza where braking is under 14% of the lap will unquestionably be a challenge as to whether the new F1 cars can generate enough kinetic energy. The concerns in the paddock do not sit solely with the engineers but also the drivers have doubts over the huge 2026 rule changes, with Lewis Hamilton the latest to offer his thoughts.
The new cars will have two driver operated moveable components, one to add downforce in the corners (Z mode) and another to shed drag along the straights (X Mode). Whilst concerns have been expressed by a number of senior paddock folk over the new ‘Frankenstein’ power unit, proposals to reduce the electrical element were treated with derision by Mercedes’ boss, Toto Wolff, labelling them “a joke.”
Seven times world champion, lewis Hamilton is skeptical about the changes for next season, telling Sky Italia: “I don’t think it’s going in the right direction, personally. Maybe I’ll be surprised next year. Maybe we arrive and the cars are really nice.”
Hamilton complains cars ‘too heavy’
Hamilton has struggled since his move to Ferrari this season, beating his team mate just twice in Grand Prix qualifying and finishing ahead of him only once in the nine Grand Prix to date. Lewis did claim an early victory in round two, when he claimed pole in the Sprint which was followed by the win.
“With the direction we’re going, we’re going slower,” he added. “The cars are getting heavier. I mean, next year, I guess they are getting lighter, but this generation of car is the heaviest car that I’ve raced.”
The 2026 F1 cars and power units will see a weight reduction for the first time in over fifteen year’s of F1 racing. Although this will be modest and is expected to be around just 25-30 kilograms. Mercedes have the reputation for developing for developing the best power unit last time such a revolution occurred and paddock expectations remain firmly of the opinion that Mercedes will ace these new design rules once more.
Yet much of that is due to Toto Wolff’s absolute refusal to countenance any changes in the 2026 PU specifications, which of course begs the question does he know something the rest of the teams do not? Unlikely, is the response and with Mercedes being difficult over a change of specification, they will merely face the same challenges that others are complaining about.
Never will the blending of the car together with a power unit have been such a complex task undertaken by the F1 teams. It would appear that those developing their own engines should in some way have an advantage, yet the current F1 leaders in both titles are Mercedes customers for power.
Current FIA steward says Verstappen should have been banned
If a week is said to be a long time in politics, it can be a lifetime in Formula One. Now ten days on from the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix as the teams are in transit to Canada, the debacle which took place at the Circuit de Catalunya is still a hot topic of discussion in the paddock.
Red Bull Racing took a brave gamble at the start of the race, putting Max on an almost unheard of three stop strategy at the Montmelo circuit. Even the McLaren team boss suggested he was nervous, as the world champion on his final planned set of tyres was closing in on Lando Norris in second place.
Then came the safety car following Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes catching fire and Red Bull had no decent fresh race tyres for this late in the race intervention. At the restart, Verstappen could not fire up his tyres and was overtaken by Charles Leclerc, then an audacious move from George Russell forced Verstappen to take to the exit road at turn one…. READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
