Formula 1 reshuffles Canadian GP to May for better calendar flow

Formula 1 has announced a significant change to the Canadian Grand Prix, with the race set to move to an earlier slot in the calendar from 2026 onwards.

The event in Montreal will shift from its traditional mid-June slot to the third or fourth weekend of May.

According to a statement from Formula 1, the move is part of the sport’s broader effort to “rationalise the race calendar and make it more sustainable by hosting the event earlier than has been the practice in recent years”.

The change aligns with F1’s recent decision to move back from 2026 the Monaco Grand Prix from the final week in May to the first weekend in June.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his gratitude to the Canadian organizers for their cooperation in making the calendar adjustment possible, the Italian emphasizing the importance of these changes in achieving the sport's sustainability goals.

• Read also: Formula 1 extends Monaco Grand Prix deal until 2031

“I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian GP, from the local, to the provincial and national government,” commented Domenicali.

“We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the F1 community earlier than in the past.

“The change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable, but logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel.

“Our Net Zero by 2030 commitment continues to be a priority for us as a sport and it is thanks to changes like this that we are on track to hitting our goal.”

The shift will allow the Canadian Grand Prix to be paired with Miami’s event in early May, eliminating for the F1 community the previously challenging standalone transatlantic trip.

The change will also ensure a full European leg for F1 that should run from early June through the summer.

This realignment follows other calendar innovations, such as moving Japan closer to the season's start, while strategically repositioning races like Baku and Qatar.

The revised schedule aims to streamline F1's journey around the globe, minimizing travel disruptions and enhancing the overall flow of the season.

“This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as Formula 1’s, toward a more sustainable future,” said Jean-Philippe Paradis, CEO of Octane Racing Group, which promotes the Canadian Grand Prix.

“It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organisation with environmental responsibility.”

“We are determined to offer our fans, our communities, and our loyal audience a unique and enriched experience, in addition to extending the summer season for Montreal.

“The date change thus fully integrates into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, which is fully focused on delivering an amazing Canadian GP experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment.”

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and X