F2 salvages full season with late North American calendar additions

Formula 2 has secured a full 14-round season for its drivers and teams by adding the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix to its 2026 calendar at the eleventh hour, replacing rounds lost due to the conflict in the Middle East. The move marks the championship's first-ever race events in North America but has also ruled out IndyCar star Colton Herta from competing in the iconic Indianapolis 500.

Why it matters:

For a development series where track time is crucial, preserving a complete championship calendar is vital for driver progression and team operations. This proactive pivot prevents a reduced schedule that could have disadvantaged competitors and maintains the championship's integrity. Furthermore, expanding to North America's high-profile events significantly boosts the series' global presence and commercial appeal.

The details:

• The 2026 season was set to shrink from 14 to 12 rounds after the postponement of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, with which F2 was scheduled to race.
• To fill the gap, F2 CEO Bruno Michel worked with promoters to add Miami (May 2-4) and Montreal/Canada (May 16-18) to the support bill before the series rejoins its planned schedule in Monaco.
• F2 has a strict policy of only racing on F1 weekends, requiring events with sufficient paddock space and infrastructure to accommodate the extra series.
• This will be the first visit to North America for the modern Formula 2 championship, and the series did not race there during its preceding GP2 era either, largely due to the historical cost and logistical challenges.
• A significant consequence of the change is that it clashes with the Indianapolis 500, barring Hitech GP driver Colton Herta from attempting to qualify for the legendary race. His Andretti Global team has confirmed it will not enter a fourth car for him.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the logistics of executing this rapid transatlantic expansion. Teams will prepare for back-to-back races in Miami and Montreal, a new challenge for the championship.

• The success of these inaugural North American rounds could pave the way for a more permanent presence on the continent in future seasons.
• For drivers like Colton Herta, the schedule conflict highlights the difficult choices facing talents competing in multiple top-tier series, though his primary commitment remains his F2 campaign with Hitech.
• The swift calendar rescue operation demonstrates F2's operational agility and its prioritized commitment to providing a robust platform for its competitors, setting the stage for a crucial and expanded 2026 season.