Championship replaces Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds with debut races in the US and Canada as organisers move to maintain momentum early in the season
The FIA Formula 2 Championship will stage races in the US and Canada for the first time in its history, after adding Miami and Montreal to its 2026 calendar following the cancellation of its opening Middle East rounds.
Organisers confirmed Round 2 will take place at the Miami Grand Prix from 1–3 May, followed by Round 3 in Montreal on 22–24 May, before the series returns to Europe for Monte Carlo in early June.
The changes come after the planned April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were withdrawn due to ongoing geopolitical instability in the region, prompting a rapid revision of the early-season schedule.
FIA Formula 2 Championship will now run alongside Formula 1 at both North American events, aligning with the sport’s broader strategy of expanding its footprint in key commercial markets.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, acknowledged the disruption to the original calendar but emphasised the importance of maintaining continuity.
“It has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month,” he said. “It is great news for our fans, the drivers and the teams that Formula 2 will be racing in Miami and Montreal.
“Bruno and the whole F2 family have done a great job, working closely with us, the FIA, and the Miami and Montreal promoters, to ensure we limit the gap in racing for the championship this season.”
Calendar stability under pressure
The reshuffle highlights the logistical fragility of the Formula 2 calendar, which traditionally mirrors Formula 1’s global schedule but remains more exposed to regional disruption given its tighter operational margins.
In 2025, the series completed a full international calendar spanning the Middle East, Europe and Asia, with multiple support races alongside Formula 1 helping to drive visibility and commercial alignment. The absence of the early-season Bahrain and Jeddah rounds this year therefore represents a break from a well-established opening structure.
FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said the revised calendar was designed to preserve competitive balance while supporting the championship’s long-term growth.
“The addition of these new rounds ensures the FIA Formula 2 Championship remains strong and balanced, and able to deliver for our teams, drivers and fans,” he said.
“Bringing the championship to North America via Miami and Montreal for the first time marks an important step in its continued global growth, strengthening the pathway alongside Formula One and connecting with new audiences.”
North America expansion aligns with F1 strategy
The inclusion of Miami and Montreal reflects Formula 1’s ongoing commercial focus on North America, where race attendance, media rights values and sponsorship interest have grown significantly in recent years.
Miami, which joined the Formula 1 calendar in 2022, has become a key destination event, while Montreal’s Canadian Grand Prix remains one of the sport’s most established fixtures. Integrating Formula 2 into these weekends offers additional track time and content for promoters while exposing emerging drivers to a broader audience.
Bruno Michel, FIA Formula 2 CEO, said the move had been a long-term objective for the series.
“Bringing F2 to North America for the first time is really fantastic. It’s something we have been wanting to do for a long time, and it enables us to ensure we’re back racing as quickly as possible,” he said. “It will be a great new challenge for our teams and our drivers, who have all welcomed the news with enthusiasm.”
While the revised calendar restores early-season momentum, uncertainty remains around the postponed Middle East rounds.
Officials reiterated their intention to return to both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia when conditions allow, with Sulayem noting that the governing body continues to monitor developments in the region.
“Our thoughts remain with all those affected by the ongoing events in the Middle East and we continue to hope for a swift return to stability,” he said.
