Following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, F2 has announced that the replacements will take place at the 2026 Miami and Canadian GP. The season kicked off in Melbourne from March 6th to 8th. However, the cancellation of two back-to-back rounds—originally scheduled as the second and third events on the calendar—created a lengthy gap, with the next race not due until June in Monte Carlo.
With the replacement rounds now confirmed, the 2026 F2 calendar returns to its original fourteen rounds. However, it now features two new circuits that these young talents will visit for the first time. Now set to run alongside the F1 weekends, F2 will join F1 Academy as an additional support series in Montreal.
F2’s first venture into America
While Formula 1 has added more American races in recent years, this will mark F2’s first-ever trip North America. This debut also presents a timely opportunity for American driver Colton Herta, who made a move from IndyCar to join the F2 grid this year.
After the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds were cancelled, speculation grew over how both F2 and F3 would make up the lost events. Many speculated that F2 might return to Imola or Zandvoort, given their history of hosting the championship in the past. However, attention soon turned to Miami and Canada, offering a chance to enter a new market, while also addressing the lengthy gap between Melbourne and the next round in Monaco.
Two new venues for F2
Alongside Madrid, the Formula 2 grid will tackle these new circuits, bringing an extra element of excitement. Speaking on the calendar changes, Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “While it has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month, and we look forward to being back with our passionate fans there as soon as possible, 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 and I want to thank them for making this possible. It is going to be fantastic to restart the racing in a few weeks’ time and to have F2 alongside Formula 1 as we return to the US for the first time this season.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Following the necessary changes to the calendar at the start of the season, 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. 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. I thank all those who worked tirelessly to make these rounds possible.”
“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. We look forward to racing in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia very soon.”
“Really fantastic” — Michel on F2 heading to North America
Expressing similar sentiments to Ben Sulayem and Domenicali, CEO of Formula 2 Bruno Michel said: “We always love to race in Sakhir and Jeddah, and we wish them well and look forward to returning to both as soon as circumstances allow. We are now going to Miami and Montreal for the second and third rounds of the 2026 season, respectively. I would like to thank Stefano Domenicali and Formula 1 for their support in making this possible, and also the FIA, the promoters of the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix, and of course my team, who have worked hard to put in place two new rounds in such a short amount of time.”
“It was not an easy thing to do, but 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. It will be a great new challenge for our teams and our drivers, who have all welcomed the news with enthusiasm. I am certain that the quality of racing will bring a lot of excitement to the fans and to everyone attending both Grands Prix.”
