Formula 1’s traditional end-of-year test will also take place in 2026. The exact location has now been confirmed to GPblog.

For Formula 1 teams, the season usually doesn’t end after the final Grand Prix. Almost every year, a final test takes place, partly for tyre manufacturer Pirelli. The regular F1 drivers often take part, although Max Verstappen, for example, has been absent for several years. At the same time, a test day is held for rookies: drivers who have competed in no more than two Grands Prix.

There will be such a test in 2026 too, GPblog has confirmed. It will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, where the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - the final race of the Formula 1 season - will be held on 6 December.

A test in the Middle East too

Last week, it became clear that Formula 1 will press ahead with its plans to go ahead with the race as usual, despite the tense situation in the Middle East, rather than move it to Imola. Preparations to hold the final Grand Prix in the Italian city have therefore been halted.

With the Grand Prix remaining on the calendar, there will also be no change to the planned test. As previously communicated to the teams, it will go ahead in Abu Dhabi as scheduled.

That said, none of this is entirely certain. If it becomes too dangerous for Formula 1 to travel to Qatar and/or Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks, Formula One Management will not hesitate to cancel the races. In that case, the test in Abu Dhabi will also be removed from the calendar.