Formula 1 to move Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal to May starting in 2026 for travel reasons
Sport’s governing body still needs to approve decision, but race could follow Miami
From 2026, Formula 1 will shift the Canadian Grand Prix to a new timeslot in May to reduce travel distances and minimize its environmental impact.
Currently held in June, the race in Montreal interrupts a series of European events, requiring teams to cross the Atlantic for just one weekend. Starting in 2026, the event will take place on "the third or fourth weekend in May each year," Formula 1 announced on Monday. This adjustment follows discussions with the race’s promoter and Canadian authorities but awaits final approval from the FIA, the sport's governing body.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and CEO, expressed gratitude to the Canadian organizers for agreeing to expedite preparations for hosting the race on Montreal’s Notre Dame Island. "This change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable but also logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel," Domenicali stated.
This year’s Canadian Grand Prix took place on June 9, nestled between the Monaco and Spanish races. For 2024, it is scheduled for June 15, falling between races in Spain and Austria. With the new schedule, the Canadian Grand Prix could follow the Miami Grand Prix, traditionally held in early May under a 10-year contract that started in 2022.
The race’s inclusion on the F1 calendar is secured through 2031, thanks to an agreement signed in 2021 after two cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of its efforts to streamline logistics, Formula 1 has been aligning races geographically. For example, the Japanese Grand Prix was moved to April this year to align with events in China and Australia. The shift to May for Montreal aligns with this broader strategy and supports the sport's record-breaking 24-race calendar.
