Following in the recent footsteps of the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, the F1 Canadian GP is set to undergo a change in schedule from the 2026 season.
The organisers of the event have agreed to support Formula 1 in its efforts to optimise the race calendar and make it more sustainable by hosting the future editions of the race earlier in the season.
Along with the race promoter Octane Racing Group, principal stakeholders from the Canadian Government, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, the City of Montreal, Tourism Quebec, Tourism Montreal, and Parc Jean-Drapeau were all involved in the decision-making process.
In recent years, the twenty fastest cars on the planet have hit the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal for the F1 Canadian GP in the month of June.
However, with further collaboration and renewed commitment to Formula 1’s sustainability strategy, the Grand Prix is set to be scheduled on the third or fourth weekend of May each year from 2026.
Moreover, all future F1 calendars will be subject to confirmation by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.
The revamping of the race calendar will enable the integration of the European leg of the season into one consecutive period over the continent’s summer months.
This latest resolution also takes into account the convenience of eliminating an additional transatlantic crossing by the F1 community each year, thereby resulting in increased carbon reduction.
This announcement is the latest in a long line of modifications already made to the calendar in recent years by the F1 management in its endeavour to create a more rationalised schedule.
These changes date back to 2019, when Formula 1 launched its sustainability strategy with the goal to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2030 and leave a legacy of positive change.
While the Japanese Grand Prix has been moved to the spring to align with races in the Asia-Pacific region, the race in Azerbaijan has been shifted to the autumn as the championship travels east to Singapore.
Moreover, the schedule of the Qatar Grand Prix has been adjusted to be lined up with Abu Dhabi at the end of the season.
As announced by F1 last week, the Monaco Grand Prix will be hosted on the first full weekend in June each year from 2026, thereby contributing to the wider rationalisation of the race calendar.
“I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian Grand Prix, from the local, to the provincial and national government,” announced Stefano Domenicali, the President & CEO of Formula 1.
“We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the Formula 1 community earlier than in the past. The change will make the future flow of our calendar not only more sustainable, but logistically more sensible for our teams and personnel.
“Our Net Zero by 2030 commitment continues to be a priority for us as a sport and it is thanks to changes like this that we are on track to hitting our goal.”
“This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as Formula 1’s, toward a more sustainable future. It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organization with environmental responsibility,” the CEO of Octane Racing Group, Jean-Philippe Paradis, further added.
“We are determined to offer our fans, our communities, and our loyal audience a unique and enriched experience, in addition to extending the summer season for Montreal.
“The date change thus fully integrates into the dynamic strategic vision put in place by our team, with the collaboration of our stakeholders, which is fully focused on delivering an amazing Canadian Grand Prix experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment.”
