Madrid and the world of Imola: the war and the 2026 F1 calendar
Formula 1 has published its official calendar for the 2026 season, which will consist of 24 Grands Prix, including an important new introduction: the addition of the Madrid Grand Prix, while the historic Imola Grand Prix in Italy has been dropped. I have decided to make a quick negative reaction to auto enthusiasts, you can consider excluding Imola as a major category for classification.
2026 calendar details.
The start time in Australia is on March 6, isolated from the races in China and Japan. Formula 1 will then move to the Middle East for the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, before arriving in the United States for the Miami Grand Prix. Following the race in Canada, F1 registered in Europe for its European leg, which will include races in Monaco, Spain (Barcelona), Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, Hungary, the Netherlands, Italy (Monza), Spain (Madrid), and Azerbaijan. The competition will then push Asia to the Singapore Grand Prix, for entry in the United States for Austin, Mexico, and Brazil, and the finale with races in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
Madrid has been in Spain for the weekend, now with Barcelona, since 1979 when it was announced that it would be holding a Grand Prix in the Capital of Spain, in the new Circuito Madring, which combines urban and non-urban sectors. This is the dispute on 11/13/2026 and then the twelfth debate of the camp.
Fans’ reaction
The removal of Imola, one of the most prominent symbols and the question of Europa, has caused frustration among fans. Many are considering the historical re-enactment of a new urban circuit in Madrid as a “vergüenza” and a traditional method of F1. Some comments on the number of fans include:
“Madrid over Imola is a disgrace. One of the best circuits in the world is disappearing.”
“I thought there couldn’t be more than one race per country… I see two countries with two races. Let them come back to Imola.”
“Without Imola, just before Zandvoort and Spa will go the way of Hockenheim and the Nürburgring. All the classic European circuits will be replaced by pointless street circuits. What a shame.”
“This is unacceptable. There shouldn’t be more than one race per country so others can enjoy the spectacle of F1, and the protection of historic circuits should be a priority over street circuits. This is F1, not IndyCar.”
“Too many street circuits. They’re eliminating the real circuits for money.”
“Two races in Spain and three in the United States, when they could have raced in Sepang, Hockenheim/Nürburgring, Istanbul Park and Portimao… those in charge aren’t very smart.”
F1’s Orientation
Company 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has shown his passion by integrating Madrid into the calendar, which has destroyed important car markets such as Audi, Cadillac and Ford and an F1 race. After the announcement, I felt comfortable coming to Madrid and because of the achievements they represent for the expelled.
Additional background and cambios
The 2026 calendar has a similar format to 2025, with 24 goals and includes sprint goals. The times are more variable and there are three parts in the final, with the fast-track being eliminated to coincide with the Indy 500, and the Gran Premio de Canada finale in May.
The Imola start marks the end of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix on the Formula 1 circuit, a circuit steeped in history and tradition. As part of this, the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit will not be the starting point for the Spanish Grand Prix until 2026, while its future presence is negotiated, possibly on a rotation system similar to that of Spa-Francorchamps.
