F1 confirms 2026 testing dates, Azerbaijan GP move

The pre-season schedule for the 2026 Formula 1 season has been confirmed, with three tests to allow more preparation time as part of the new regulations.

With a change to both the power unit and chassis regulations for next season, teams will get to kick off the year from January 26-30 with a private test in Barcelona. No media or spectator access will be allowed to the event – agreed directly between the teams and the circuit – with only personnel involved in the car running permitted as the new designs hit the track for the first time.

There will then be two three-day tests in Bahrain to further explore the 2026 cars, running from February 11-13 and February 18-20, prior to the first race of the season in Australia on March 8.

On top of the testing schedule being confirmed, there has also been a change to the previously-announced calendar, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix moving to become a Saturday race.

The event had been announced on 27 September 2026, but will now take place one day earlier on 26 September, due to the Remembrance Day national holiday on the Sunday. The switch means there will be two Saturday races in 2026, with Las Vegas retaining its usual Saturday night slot in late November.

Formula 1

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Chris Medland

While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.

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