Fans are furious over ‘truly idiotic’ 2026 F1 calendar proposal that could end up being a ‘huge mistake’

As the 2025 Formula 1 season completes more than a third of its races, the sport is looking ahead to 2026.

The new set of regulations will see significant changes on the grid as F1 moves more towards sustainability and electrical power. Cadillac will join the sport as the 11th team, while Audi joins as a new manufacturer.

While it has not been officially published yet, rumours surrounding the 2026 calendar are beginning to surface. What is known is that the Australian Grand Prix will be the season opener in March, as the sport looks to move races in the same region closer together.

Spain could have two races next season as Barcelona has a contract to host a race, while a new street circuit in Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 onwards. Spa-Francorchamps has signed a rotational contract until 2031, which will see the Belgian GP off the calendar in 2028 and 2030.

With F1 looking to move the calendar around for logistical reasons, the Canadian Grand Prix looks set to swap dates with Monaco, moving it closer to the Miami GP in May. This change could be a ‘huge mistake’ for the sport.

F1 fans are furious over ‘truly idiotic’ 2026 Canadian GP proposal as it clashes with Indy 500

It is understood that the Miami and Canadian GPs will not be run back-to-back in 2026. This could mean that the latter race will be run on the same weekend as the Indianapolis 500.

The iconic race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is massive in North America, with 7 million people tuning in to watch Alex Palou claim victory in 2025.

With Liberty Media looking to grow F1’s US market, several fans took to Reddit to voice their anger about the Canadian GP clash. They fear it could be detrimental to the viewership of the sport in the region.

“The Canada/Indy thing seems so stupid to almost be on purpose. Why screw the US market like that?” questioned one fan. Another said: “Indy 500 vs Canada GP. Whose idea was this?”

One user replied to the fan and said: “Yeah this is dumb and full of hubris. It’s bad weather in Montreal and it’s going to get killed in that spot. The logical move is to move Vegas there as a late night race so it can go 500->Coca Cola 600-> Vegas GP which allows the greatest racing day of the year to continue.”

“Running the Canadian Grand Prix at the same time as the Indy 500 would be a huge mistake for a series that wants to grow in the US market. It was the biggest viewership of any motor racing in the country this year, other than the Daytona 500 nothing can imagine coming close,” pointed out one fan.

Another user was furious as they wrote: “Canada clashing with Indy is truly idiotic and a huge blow for viewers.”

Finally, one user said: “Putting up the Canadian GP vs the 500 would not only suck for us as viewers, but also totally kill North American viewership of the Canadian GP. FOX just got 7 million US viewership on the 500 while most F1 races get somewhere between 1 to 2 million when not competing with the 500.”

READ MORE: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes from engines to tyres

What have F1 drivers said about racing in the Indy 500?

Considered to be one of the prestigious races in the triple crown of motorsport alongside the Monaco GP and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Indy 500 is a spectacle watched by millions around the globe.

The demanding nature of the event, driving at average speeds of over 230mph, is a prospect that even F1 drivers cannot comprehend.

Lando Norris says IndyCar drivers take more risks than F1 drivers, with the sheer speed and impact of accidents they take. McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri agreed, with both drivers stating they would not like to compete in the Indy 500.

Fernando Alonso took part in the event in 2017 and 2020 – he skipped the Monaco GP with McLaren in the former year to run in the race. Dario Franchitti says Alonso was ‘something special’ with how quick he adapted to his car and on the oval.