F1 has now formally confirmed that the Canadian GP will move from its traditional June date to the third or fourth weekend in May from 2026.
As previously reported here switching the Monaco GP to the first full weekend in June has allowed F1 to slot Montreal in after Miami as part of a drive to improve the sport’s sustainability credentials.
F1 says that the “move will allow the European leg of the season to be consolidated into one consecutive period over the European summer months and is planned to remove an additional transatlantic crossing by the F1 community each year, with significant associated carbon reductions.”
Both changes required considerable concessions by the promoters and other stakeholders, in Canada’s case the Octane Racing Group and the Quebec and Montreal authorities.
The new date will mean a tighter schedule in terms of preparing the venue, with work compromised by the hard Montreal winters.
“I am incredibly grateful to the promoter and all of the government stakeholder partners involved in the Canadian GP, from the local, to the provincial and national government,” said F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“We applaud the tremendous effort from all involved to accelerate the temporary build of the event, to be ready to host the F1 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.”
F1 says that the “move will allow the European leg of the season to be consolidated into one consecutive period over the European summer months and is planned to remove an additional transatlantic crossing by the F1 community each year, with significant associated carbon reductions.”
Octane Racing Group CEO Jean-Philippe Paradis said: “This change in the schedule is a major step in our commitment, as well as F1’s, toward a more sustainable future. It demonstrates our desire to combine sporting performance and event organisation with environmental responsibility.
“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 GP experience in a more sustainable and inclusive environment.”
Adam Cooper F1 