Formula 2 2026 season guide: calendar, drivers, format, and the road to F1

The 2026 Formula 2 season represents a milestone moment for junior motorsport, as the championship enters its tenth season. With pre-season testing in Barcelona already underway, the paddock is gearing up for an action-packed campaign that will showcase the next generation of Formula 1 talent. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the 2026 F2 calendar, race format, and what makes this season particularly significant.

2026 Formula 2 calendar: 14-round championship

The tenth season of Formula 2 will comprise 14 rounds across 13 countries, with all races serving as support events to the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. This alignment ensures that F2 drivers compete on the sport's most prestigious circuits while operating within the F1 paddock environment—a crucial element in their development pathway to the top category.

The season opens in Melbourne, Australia from March 6-8, kicking off what promises to be a demanding calendar. Following the traditional Australian curtain-raiser, the series heads to the Middle East for back-to-back rounds: Bahrain's Sakhir circuit (April 10-12) and Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Corniche Circuit (April 17-19).

Europe takes center stage in June and July, with an intensive month of racing. The calendar features iconic venues including Monaco (June 4-7), Barcelona-Catalunya (June 12-14), and Spielberg, Austria (June 26-28). The action continues through Silverstone (July 3-5), Spa-Francorchamps (July 17-19), and Budapest (July 24-26).

The European campaign concludes in September with rounds at Monza, Italy (September 4-6) and the historic debut of Madrid, Spain (September 11-13)—a new venue added to the 2026 calendar that represents an exciting expansion for the championship. Following these continental races, the paddock travels to Baku, Azerbaijan (September 24-26).

The season concludes with international rounds in Lusail, Qatar (November 27-29) and the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi (December 4-6).

Sprint and Feature Race format

Every F2 weekend follows the Sprint + Feature format, providing two competitive events per round. This structure doubles the racing action available to fans while giving drivers and teams multiple opportunities to score championship points across the 28 races scheduled throughout the season.

Eleven teams, twenty-two drivers, and 28 races

The 2026 season will feature 11 teams and 22 drivers competing across the calendar. However, specific driver lineups and team rosters are not detailed in the available pre-season information at this time. As the season progresses and official team announcements are made, detailed information regarding driver pairings, team strategies, and championship contenders will become available through official FIA Formula 2 channels and team communications.

A vital stepping stone to Formula 1

According to FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, "The FIA Formula 2 Championship continues to prove itself as a vital platform for developing the next generation of top drivers". The 2026 calendar's global reach—spanning Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia—reflects this commitment to producing well-rounded competitors capable of succeeding at Formula 1 level.

FIA Formula 2 CEO Bruno Michel emphasized the championship's importance, noting that "racing on Formula 1 tracks and in front of the F1 paddock is absolutely key". The 2026 season reinforces this philosophy by maintaining all 14 rounds as official F1 support events.