The FIA Formula 2 Championship is making a strategic pivot to North America, adding new races in the United States and Canada after early-season cancellations forced a reshuffle of its 2026 calendar.
Rounds originally scheduled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have been withdrawn due to ongoing geopolitical instability, prompting organisers to fast-track replacements in key growth markets. The series will now race at the Miami Grand Prix from May 1–3, followed by the Canadian Grand Prix on May 22–24 — marking Formula 2’s debut in both locations.
The revised schedule ensures continued alignment with Formula One, with F2 running as a support series at both events. The move reflects a broader commercial strategy to deepen engagement in North America, where media rights, sponsorship revenues, and fan demand continue to accelerate.
Stefano Domenicali acknowledged the disruption but framed the adjustment as a necessary step to preserve competitive continuity.
“It has not been possible to go ahead with the two races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia this month,” he said, highlighting collaboration between F1, the FIA, and local promoters to minimise gaps in the calendar.
Calendar pressure exposes structural fragility
The reshuffle underlines the operational sensitivity of Formula 2’s global schedule. While closely tied to Formula One’s calendar, the series operates with tighter margins, making it more vulnerable to regional disruptions.
In 2025, the championship maintained a stable, multi-continent structure spanning the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The loss of its traditional opening rounds in Bahrain and Jeddah this season therefore represents a notable break from established sequencing.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised that the revised calendar aims to balance sporting integrity with long-term growth.
“The addition of these new rounds ensures the championship remains strong and balanced,” he said, positioning the North American expansion as a key milestone in F2’s global development pathway.
North America becomes a strategic priority
The inclusion of Miami and Montreal reflects Formula One’s intensifying commercial focus on North America. Since joining the calendar in 2022, Miami has emerged as a high-value destination event, while Montreal remains one of the sport’s most established and commercially reliable races.
For Formula 2, integration into these race weekends provides increased visibility, additional content for promoters, and direct exposure of emerging drivers to one of motorsport’s fastest-growing audiences.
Bruno Michel described the expansion as both opportunistic and long overdue.
“Bringing F2 to North America for the first time is really fantastic,” he said. “It allows us to return to racing quickly while opening new opportunities for our teams and drivers.”
Outlook remains uncertain in Middle East
While the revised calendar restores early-season momentum, uncertainty persists around the postponed Middle East rounds.
The FIA has reiterated its intention to return to both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia when conditions stabilise, with officials continuing to monitor developments in the region.
For now, the shift west signals more than a temporary fix — it may accelerate Formula 2’s long-term commercial integration into Formula One’s most lucrative markets.