P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 has confirmed the start times of the 2026 calendar, with the Canadian Grand Prix start time pushed back to prevent direct viewing conflict with the Indy 500.
F1 and IndyCar have agreed on a compromise to prevent a scheduling conflict between the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix and the 110th Indianapolis 500.
The Montreal race has been shifted three weeks earlier than usual, aligning with F1’s regional strategy and carbon neutrality goals by 2030.
The Monaco Grand Prix will swap weekends with the Canadian GP, now coinciding with the Miami Grand Prix, albeit not as a double-header next year.
To overcome the time zone clash with the Indy 500, F1 has pushed Montreal’s start time back two hours to 16:00 local time.
This alteration ensures both races are not held simultaneously, benefiting motorsport fans and showing mutual respect between F1 and IndyCar.
Though this change isn’t permanent, it allows for a harmonious experience of both events in 2026, marking a promising step in race scheduling coordination.
The Monaco Grand Prix starting earlier in Europe has historically prevented direct conflicts with the Indianapolis 500, maintaining the integrity of the motorsport triple crown.
