Here’s when the 2026 Formula 1 season will begin: it all kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix
Formula 1 will return to Melbourne to open the 2026 season. According to PlanetF1, the next World Championship will officially begin on Sunday, March 8, with the Australian Grand Prix. This marks a return for Albert Park as the opening round after several seasons where the calendar kicked off in the Middle East.
The 2026 season will be a turning point for F1, as major technical regulation changes will reshape the cars completely, focusing on energy efficiency, sustainability, and innovative aerodynamic solutions.
This makes the start of the season even more anticipated, with Australia set to be the first real test for the new-generation cars, which will arrive “down under” after a total of nine days of pre-season testing.
As for the rest of the calendar, the FIA is expected to hold a meeting in the coming month to finalize the remaining rounds. Several historic tracks are still awaiting confirmation, while some—such as Madrid—could potentially be dropped at the last minute. Everything is still under discussion, but one thing is certain: the 2026 season will kick off in Melbourne on March 8.