F1 to move Canadian Grand Prix slot on calendar in drive to cut travel
Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix to be Rescheduled to May Starting in 2026
In a bid to reduce travel and environmental impact, Formula 1 has announced that the Canadian Grand Prix will be moved to a new slot in May starting from 2026. This decision comes as part of F1’s efforts to streamline the racing calendar and make it more sustainable for teams and personnel.
The race in Montreal will now take place on the third or fourth weekend in May each year, shifting from its current June slot. This move will eliminate the need for teams to travel back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean for a single weekend, making logistics more sensible for all involved parties.
The decision to reschedule the Canadian Grand Prix was made in consultation with Canadian authorities and the race’s promoter. While the agreement has been reached, it still needs to be approved by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.
F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, expressed gratitude towards the Canadian organizers for their cooperation in accelerating the necessary preparations to host the race on Notre Dame Island in Montreal. He emphasized that the change will not only make the calendar more sustainable but also more logistically feasible.
The rescheduled Canadian Grand Prix will see the race following F1’s event in Miami, which is held in early May under a 10-year contract starting from 2022. The Canadian Grand Prix’s place on the F1 calendar has been secured through 2031, with an agreement signed in 2021.
As part of its efforts to limit the environmental impact of transporting teams, cars, and staff around the world, F1 has made strategic changes to its calendar. This includes moving the Japanese Grand Prix to April this season to align with races in China and Australia.
This rescheduling of the Canadian Grand Prix marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and efficient F1 calendar. The move will not only benefit the sport but also contribute to reducing its environmental footprint in the long run.
This report by the Associated Press was first published on Nov. 18, 2024.
