The Canadian and Singapore Grands Prix will each host Dash occasions for the primary time on the 2026 Method 1 calendar.
F1 has confirmed the six venues for the Dash races subsequent season, with China once more the primary of the weekends to function only one observe and two qualifying periods forward of a Dash on Saturday and the principle grand prix on a Sunday. Miami additionally stays on the schedule for what would be the third consecutive 12 months, matching up with the primary two Sprints of the previous two seasons, however after that there’s a shift away from late-season occasions.
Canada will host a Dash for the primary time in late Might – which means consecutive Dash weekends in North America – earlier than the British Grand Prix incorporates a Dash at Silverstone for the second time. Silverstone has beforehand hosted two races on consecutive weekends amid the COVID-19 pandemic, however solely hosted the inaugural Dash occasion in 2021.
The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort will even host a Dash for the primary time in what’s the closing 12 months of its contract, earlier than the sixth and closing Dash takes place on the Singapore Grand Prix. The unique evening race venue has by no means hosted the additional race format, given the issue in overtaking on the road circuit, however the timing will make sure the Saturday race takes place in daylight.
There are not any further Sprints added to the present complete of six as a result of new technical rules that will likely be launched, however RACER understands there may very well be an expanded schedule in 2027. That quantity may very well be as excessive as 12 Dash occasions, with format adjustments equivalent to reverse grids being thought of and mentioned with the groups and FIA, as the game seems to be to capitalize on increased viewership numbers and elevated promoter curiosity in comparison with a standard race weekend.
“The F1 Dash has continued to develop in constructive influence and recognition because it was launched in 2021,“ F1 president Stefano Domenicali stated. „With 4 aggressive periods fairly than two throughout a traditional Grand Prix weekend, F1 Dash occasions supply extra motion every day for our followers, broadcast companions, and for the promoters – driving elevated attendance and viewership. We’re additionally proud to have welcomed Gatorade as an Official Companion of F1 Dash, demonstrating the massive curiosity within the occasion from an iconic world model.
“The 2026 season will usher in a brand new period of rules, so having three new Dash venues will solely add to the drama on observe. I need to thank the FIA, all of the promoters, our companions, marshals, volunteers, and native sporting golf equipment for persevering with to make the Dash an enormous success and all of us sit up for giving our followers extra unimaginable racing and pleasure within the 2026 season.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says drivers will likely be concerned in any decision-making relating to adjustments to the Dash format, that at the moment sees a separate qualifying session and brief race that pays factors to the highest eight finishers.
“The Dash format has turn into an more and more thrilling a part of the FIA Method One World Championship, delivering high-intensity racing and added leisure for followers all over the world,“ Ben Sulayem added. „As we look forward to a landmark 2026 season that includes a brand new technology of vehicles and rules, I’m happy to see the Dash evolving alongside our broader ambitions for the game.
„The inclusion of latest venues alongside returning favourites displays the continued enthusiasm from promoters, groups and followers alike. We’ll proceed to work intently with FOM, the groups, our officers, and the drivers to make sure the Dash format enhances the championship.”
The picks imply there will likely be no Dash at Interlagos for the primary time because the format was launched, whereas the US Grand Prix in Austin will even revert to the normal race weekend schedule for the primary time since 2022.
This 12 months, the schedule nonetheless options Dash weekends in Austin, Interlagos and Qatar, which means there are three Sprints within the closing six rounds.
On high of the Dash calendar, the beginning occasions for the 2026 races have been confirmed, with the Canadian Grand Prix one space of focus. Subsequent 12 months’s race in Montreal takes place on the identical day because the Indianapolis 500 following calendar regionalization, and RACER understands F1 actively engaged with IndyCar to try to keep away from a conflict. Because of this, the Canadian Grand Prix will begin at 1600 ET, making a greater than three-hour window to run the Indy 500 in (inexperienced flag time 1245 ET) earlier than the races may overlap.
