When Will The 2026 F1 Season Start? – A Full Guide For F1 Bettors

Wondering when the 2026 F1 season will start? Discover the official schedule and details for the upcoming year as we answer when the 2026 F1 season will start. From new teams like Audi and Cadillac to the return of legendary drivers, this guide covers everything. Plan your viewing schedule for the Australian Grand Prix and beyond.

Fans are asking when the 2026 F1 season starts to prepare for the new era. The championship officially kicks off on March 6 in Melbourne, Australia. This date marks the beginning of radical changes in engine and car regulations. Therefore, the excitement surrounding the opening race is reaching an all-time high. The 2026 Formula 1 world championship begins on March 6, 2026, in Melbourne.

This date marks a significant shift for the sport due to new rules. Therefore, fans are already marking their calendars for the Australian Grand Prix event. The weekend starts with practice sessions on Friday before the Sunday race. Because the race occurs in Australia, fans in Europe must wake up early. However, the excitement of a new era makes the early start worth it. This season represents the seventy-seventh year of the official Formula 1 championship. Register at any of the online sportsbook sites in the US to bet on F1 today!

When Will The 2026 F1 Season Start In Australia?

The new F1 season comes with a new circuit, a new team, two returning drivers, and a whole rebranding of Sauber into Audi. The first F1 race in 2026 will happen on March 6, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. The arrival of the Cadillac team adds more flavor to the season. They enter as the eleventh team on the grid for this year. This American entry brings excitement to the fans in the United States.

They use a power unit facility in North Carolina to support their efforts. Therefore, the team feels ready to challenge the established European racing outfits. Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas bring massive experience to this new project. Because they have over 500 starts combined, they provide stability for Cadillac. The Australian race will test if their preparation pays off on track. Register at bet365 Sportsbook and join the F1 betting scene anytime!

The F1 Races For The 2026 Season

With a new track added to the list, we can expect a similar schedule as last year. According to Formula 1, the schedule is the following:

• March 06-08: Australia (Melbourne)
• March 13-15: China (Shanghai)
• March 27-29: Japan (Suzuka)
• April 10-12: Bahrain (Sakhir)
• April 17-19: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah)
• May 01-03: Miami (USA)
• May 22-24: Canada (Montreal)
• June 05-07: Monaco (Monte Carlo)
• June 12-14: Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain)
• June 26-28: Austria (Spielberg)
• July 03-05: Great Britain (Silverstone)
• July 17-19: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)
• July 24-26: Hungary (Budapest)
• August 21-23: Netherlands (Zandvoort)
• September 04-06: Italy (Monza)
• September 11-13: Spain (Madrid)
• September 24-26: Azerbaijan (Baku)
• October 09-11: Singapore (Marina Bay)
• October 23-25: United States (Austin)
• October 30 – November 01: Mexico (Mexico City)
• November 06-08: Brazil (São Paulo)
• November 19-21: Las Vegas (USA)
• November 27-29: Qatar (Lusail)
• December 04-06: Abu Dhabi (Yas Marina)

The season begins in the Pacific region before moving toward the Middle East. After those rounds, the grid travels to North America and then Europe. This structure helps reduce the carbon footprint of the entire traveling circus.

When Will The 2026 F1 Season Start To Get Interesting?

We believe that Monaco is going to be the first race where drivers will have to start caring about points. Obviously, the whole season is phenomenal. However, from the schedule, we believe that Hungary will be the first race where the tension starts to rise between teams and drivers. According to Sky Sports, Lewis Hamilton said the new cars look fun. This alone may promise that the whole season will get a little more competitive and interesting. The mid-season races often reveal which teams have developed their cars best.

By the time the circus reaches Monza, the title favorites emerge clearly. However, the introduction of the Madrid race adds a fresh, unknown element. No team has historical data for this specific street circuit layout yet. Thus, the engineers must rely on simulations to find the best setup. This uncertainty keeps the championship interesting until the final rounds in December. Because of the new engines, the reliability of the cars remains questionable. A single engine failure could change the entire outcome of the championship.

About The Pre-Season Testing

We already covered this in our 2026 F1 Pre-season guide. However, it is important for hardcore fans who would like to bet as early as the first event. When will the 2026 F1 season start for the drivers? Well, here is the answer:

• January 26-30: Barcelona (Private Shakedown)
• February 11-13: Bahrain (Testing 1)
• February 18-20: Bahrain (Testing 2)

The first event is a private shakedown in Barcelona in late January. This happens from January 26 to 30 at the Spanish circuit. Teams use this time to ensure all systems function correctly together. Usually, they do not push the cars to the absolute limit here. Instead, they focus on filming days and basic aerodynamic checks for data. Thus, the public does not see much of the action during January. However, the data gathered here is vital for the upcoming official tests. Engineers work long hours to fix any small bugs in the software.

Biggest Names – When Will The 2026 F1 Season Start?

According to the Medium, Honda is now going to provide for Aston Martin, which might put them at the front of the competition. Mercedes-Benz is going to be one of the most versatile teams, spreading over to Williams, Alpine, McLaren, and of course, Mercedes. Ferrari, on the other hand, remains in collaboration with Haas and with the new team: Cadillac. Red Bull will keep its sister team, RB, in on the engine too. Thus, we believe these are the most dominant drivers this season:

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (McLaren duo)

The McLaren duo will return after a WDC victory. Norris was hungry for more, and Piastri was eager not miss his only chance at becoming a Driver World Champion. McLaren has shown excellence in car design lately.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari duo)

With the return to a different engine type, Lewis Hamilton might rise to a new strength, with Leclerc being extremely hungry for his well-deserved WDC title too.

Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

We have seen what Aston Martin can do when they have the right tools, and we believe Honda will be perfect in serving that.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

The rookie has been one of the most promising names on the grid last year, and now in his second season, he might snatch even more victories.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

The best driver at the moment, whose success highly depends on his team, too.

Oliver Bearman (Haas)

Ferrari’s future face might take what he only flashed last season.

The Safest F1 Betting Site For 2026

So, when will the 2026 F1 season start? The short answer is: March 6 in Melbourne, Australia. Keep in mind that for some drivers, this might be the last season they participate in. New manufacturers like Audi and Cadillac bring fresh energy to the paddock. Therefore, the competition for the championship will likely be very fierce.

Keep in mind that for some drivers, this might be the last season. Veterans like Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton are nearing the end. Thus, every race in 2026 carries a sense of historical importance. Fans should cherish every lap of this monumental racing year. Register at bet365 Sportsbook to bet on F1 before the season starts!

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