16/09/2025 13:50
F1 has reached a compromise with IndyCar to avoid a direct clash
between the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix and the 110th running of the
Indianapolis 500. The round in Montreal has been moved forward
three weeks from its usual mid-June slot - starting from next
season - as part of F1's continued investment in calendar
regionalisation and its work towards being carbon net zero by 2030.
In a straight swap with the Monaco Grand Prix, the annual visit to
the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve will now take place around the end of
May, allowing it to double-up with the Miami Grand Prix - although
it will not be a 'double-header' next year. However, this posed a
problem for the 2026 F1 schedule, as the Canadian Grand Prix is in
the same time zone as the Indy 500, creating a head-on conflict.
Therefore, to remedy the situation, F1 has pushed the race in
Montreal from its usual 14:00 local start time back two hours, to
16:00 (21:00 in the UK and Ireland, and 22:00 in mainland Europe).
Unless there is a rain delay at the Indy 500, this will prevent
both contests from being run simultaneously. RacingNews365
understands F1 reached out to IndyCar to proactively engage in
conversations to avoid a direct clash, and out of respect for the
American series, with a later-than-normal start time the agreed
compromise between the championships. It is important to highlight
that a weekend clash between the Canadian Grand Prix and the Indy
500 will not occur every year moving forward, but this measure
allows motorsport fans to enjoy both events in 2026. The day clash
has not been a significant issue in the past, as the Monaco Grand
Prix, being in Europe, is run earlier in the day than the famed
race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, something that allowed two
legs of the motorsport triple crown to share a weekend without
being raced concurrently.
