The FIA and Formula 1 dropped the full 2025 calendar on October 21, 2024 — and it’s a spectacle designed to go out with a bang. Twenty-four Grands Prix. Six Sprint weekends. A season opener in Melbourne after years of being shuffled around. And a final race on December 7 at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, marking the end of an era. This isn’t just another season. It’s the last ride of the current car generation before the 2026 overhaul turns everything upside down. Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, put it bluntly: "2025 will be a special year as we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the FIA Formula One World Championship." And he’s right. This calendar feels like a tribute — a last chance to savor the raw, noisy, high-downforce machines before the electric-era shift.
The Final Chapter of the Current Era
The 2025 season isn’t just long — it’s packed with meaning. The 24 races span five continents, hitting 19 countries, including three in the U.S. alone: Miami, Austin, and Las Vegas. That’s more than ever before. The season kicks off on March 14-16 at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, a return to form after the Australian GP was moved to mid-season in recent years. It’s a nod to tradition — the first race of the year in the land that gave us Hamilton’s 2008 title win and Vettel’s infamous 2010 crash. Pre-season testing? That’s set for February 26-28 at the Bahrain International Circuit. A familiar setting, but this year, teams will be testing not just setup, but durability. The 2026 power units will be lighter, more efficient, and electrically boosted — so 2025’s 1.6L V6 hybrids are the last chance to push them to the edge.Sprint Weekends: Six Chances for Chaos
Six Sprint weekends. That’s up from four in 2024. And the locations? Strategic. Shanghai kicks off the format on March 21-23. Then Miami (May 2-4), Spa-Francorchamps (July 25-27), Circuit of the Americas (October 17-19), Interlagos (November 7-9), and finally Losail in Qatar (November 28-30). Belgium replacing Austria as a Sprint venue? That’s a win for fans. Spa’s elevation changes and unpredictable weather make it the perfect stage for tire wars and last-lap drama. For those unfamiliar: Sprint weekends mean qualifying determines the grid for Saturday’s 100km Sprint race, which then sets the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. No more Saturday qualifying. It’s faster, messier, and more unpredictable — exactly what F1 needs to keep fans on the edge.The Calendar’s Shuffled Deck
Some races moved. Others stayed put — and that’s the story. The Bahrain Grand Prix slides to fourth, on April 11-13. Saudi Arabia follows on April 18-20 at the terrifying Jeddah Corniche Circuit — a place where cars fly off the track at 220 mph. The Monaco Grand Prix remains on May 23-25, unchanged. And the Las Vegas Grand Prix? Still the glittery, midnight spectacle on November 20-22. The United States now hosts three races — more than any other country. That’s not an accident. F1’s American push is working. Ticket sales in Austin and Miami are through the roof. Las Vegas? The 2023 race drew 1.2 million viewers on ESPN. That’s bigger than most NFL playoff games.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Track
This isn’t just about lap times. The 2025 season is a final stress test for current engine suppliers — Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda Red Bull, and Renault. They’ve got one last shot to extract every horsepower from the 1.6L V6 before the 2026 rules mandate a 100% sustainable fuel and a 50% electric power share. Teams like Red Bull, who’ve dominated with their engine synergy, are sweating. Others, like Alpine, are quietly hopeful the reset will level the field. Fans are already speculating: Will the 2026 cars be slower? Quieter? Less exciting? The answer isn’t clear. But one thing is: the 2025 cars are the loudest, most aggressive, most physically demanding machines F1 has ever built. And that’s why this season matters.What Comes Next
By January 2026, every team will be testing prototypes of the new generation. The cars will look different — smoother, less wing-heavy. The sound? Less of a scream, more of a hum. The racing? Possibly more strategic, less overtaking. But that’s the trade-off: sustainability over spectacle. For now, though, the world gets one last taste of the old way. The roar of the V6s. The smell of burning rubber at Silverstone. The chaos of a wet Sprint in Spa. The final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi, under the desert stars.
Timeline at a Glance
- February 26-28, 2025: Pre-season testing, Bahrain
- March 14-16, 2025: Season opener, Melbourne
- March 21-23, 2025: First Sprint, Shanghai
- May 23-25, 2025: Monaco Grand Prix
- July 25-27, 2025: Sprint at Spa
- October 17-19, 2025: Sprint in Austin
- November 28-30, 2025: Final Sprint, Qatar
- December 5-7, 2025: Season finale, Abu Dhabi
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 2025 the last season before the 2026 overhaul?
The 2025 season is the final year under the 2022 technical regulations, which introduced ground-effect aerodynamics and standardized cost caps. The 2026 rules will mandate a 50% electric power share, new hybrid systems, and 100% sustainable fuel — a radical shift designed to align F1 with global net-zero goals. Teams have spent 2024 developing their 2025 cars with these changes in mind, making 2025 the last chance to optimize the current generation.
How many Sprint races are there in 2025, and where are they held?
There are six Sprint weekends in 2025: Shanghai (China), Miami (USA), Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Circuit of the Americas (Austin, USA), Interlagos (Brazil), and Losail (Qatar). Each features a 100km Sprint race on Saturday that sets the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Belgium replaces Austria as a Sprint venue, adding more unpredictability to one of F1’s most challenging tracks.
Why is the Australian Grand Prix back as the season opener?
After being moved to late-season slots in 2020-2024 due to pandemic disruptions and scheduling conflicts, Melbourne’s return as the opener signals F1’s commitment to tradition. Albert Park’s street circuit offers a unique blend of technical challenges and fan accessibility, and its timing in mid-March aligns with the Southern Hemisphere’s spring — ideal weather for racing. It also gives teams a fresh start after winter testing in Bahrain.
How does the 2025 calendar compare to previous seasons?
The 2025 calendar is the longest in F1 history, surpassing the 22-race seasons of 2023 and 2024. It includes more U.S. races than ever (three), adds Qatar as a Sprint venue, and removes the Canadian GP from the traditional summer slot. The expansion reflects F1’s global growth, particularly in North America and the Middle East, while retaining classics like Monaco and Monza.
Will the 2026 cars be slower or less exciting?
Early simulations suggest 2026 cars may be slightly slower in straight-line speed due to reduced engine power and heavier batteries, but improved aerodynamics could enhance overtaking. The real question is sound: the new hybrid system will be quieter, which worries purists. However, F1 says the focus is on closer racing and more driver control — not just noise. Fans may need time to adjust, but the racing could become more strategic and less reliant on DRS.
Who benefits most from the 2025 calendar?
Teams with strong tire management — like Red Bull and Ferrari — could dominate, as the 2025 tires are still optimized for high-downforce cars. The U.S. market benefits too, with three races boosting local sponsorship and TV ratings. Broadcasters like Sky Sports F1 gain extended coverage, while fans get more variety. But the real winner? Legacy. This calendar honors 75 years of F1 history before the sport pivots toward sustainability.
