Formula 2 racing is heading to North America in 2026 — and for motorsport fans on the continent, it’s the kind of news that doesn’t come around often. F2, the premier feeder series to Formula 1 and the training ground for tomorrow’s F1 stars, has officially rescheduled key rounds to Miami, USA, and Montréal, Canada, marking what many are calling a historic moment for the championship’s global footprint.
The move comes after previously scheduled races in the Middle East were cancelled, prompting organizers to find replacement venues. Rather than simply filling calendar gaps, F2 has landed in two of North America’s most electrifying cities — both of which already host Formula 1 grands prix and carry proven track records for delivering world-class motorsport weekends.
For fans who have followed F2 from afar, waiting for the series to come closer to home, 2026 is shaping up to be the year it finally happens.
Why F2 Racing in North America Is a Bigger Deal Than You Might Think
Formula 2 isn’t just a warm-up act. It’s the last step before Formula 1 — the series where drivers like Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri cut their teeth before graduating to the sport’s top tier. When F2 races alongside F1 at a grand prix weekend, it’s not unusual for the feeder series to produce some of the most dramatic, wheel-to-wheel action of the entire event.
North America has been a growing market for Formula 1 in recent years, with the Miami and Canadian grands prix drawing massive crowds and new audiences. Bringing F2 to those same venues deepens the motorsport experience available to fans in the region — and gives aspiring drivers from North America a chance to see the pathway to F1 play out right in their own backyard.
The cancellation of the original Middle Eastern rounds created a scheduling challenge for the F2 calendar, but the decision to place replacement races in Miami and Montréal suggests the championship is actively looking to expand its footprint beyond its traditional European and Middle Eastern strongholds.
What We Know About the Rescheduled F2 Rounds
| Location | Country | Status | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami | USA | Rescheduled replacement round | Existing F1 Grand Prix host city |
| Montréal | Canada | Rescheduled replacement round | Existing F1 Grand Prix host city |
| Middle East (original venues) | N/A | Cancelled | Prompted the rescheduling to North America |
Both Miami and Montréal are well-established on the Formula 1 calendar, meaning the infrastructure, fan base, and broadcast attention are already in place. F2 slotting into those weekends gives the series immediate visibility and access to audiences who may be discovering it for the first time.
- Miami brings the glamour and energy of South Florida, with a track layout that has consistently produced entertaining racing since its F1 debut.
- Montréal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is one of the most beloved tracks on the F1 calendar — a street circuit on an island in the St. Lawrence River that rewards aggressive driving and punishes mistakes.
- Both venues already attract tens of thousands of motorsport fans each year, giving F2 a ready-made audience for its North American debut.
- The rescheduled rounds represent the first time F2 has raced in North America, a milestone for the championship.
What This Means for Fans, Travelers, and the Sport
If you’re a motorsport fan in the United States or Canada, this is genuinely significant. F2 races are typically held as support events during F1 grand prix weekends, which means a ticket to the Miami or Canadian Grand Prix in 2026 could also get you trackside for F2 action — two championships, one weekend.
For fans who travel specifically for motorsport, the appeal is obvious. Miami and Montréal are major destination cities with strong hospitality infrastructure, international airports, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a racing weekend feel like an event rather than just a race.
There’s also a broader significance for the sport’s growth in North America. Formula 1’s popularity on the continent has surged in recent years, driven by a new generation of fans. F2’s arrival feeds directly into that momentum — and could help convert casual F1 viewers into dedicated followers of the full motorsport ladder.
For young drivers with North American roots, racing in front of home crowds — or near-home crowds — at iconic venues carries its own weight. The visibility that comes with a Miami or Montréal appearance on a résumé is hard to overstate.
What Happens Next for the F2 North America Rounds
With the rescheduled rounds officially confirmed for Miami and Montréal, attention now turns to the race weekends themselves. Fans looking to attend should monitor official F1 and F2 ticketing channels, as grand prix weekends in both cities tend to sell out well in advance.
The 2026 F2 season will continue to follow the championship’s standard format — sprint races and feature races across each weekend, with points accumulated toward the drivers’ and teams’ championships. The North American rounds will carry full championship weight, meaning the results in Miami and Montréal could prove decisive in the title fight.
For the championship as a whole, this moment represents something larger than a scheduling fix. It’s a signal that F2 is thinking seriously about its global audience and willing to plant its flag in new territories. Whether North American rounds become a permanent fixture on the calendar beyond 2026 remains to be seen — but the door is now open.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are F2 races being held in Miami and Montréal in 2026?
The rounds were rescheduled to Miami and Montréal after previously planned Middle Eastern races were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.
Is this the first time F2 has raced in North America?
Yes. The 2026 rounds in Miami and Montréal mark Formula 2’s debut in North America, which is described as a milestone for the championship.
Will F2 races be part of the F1 grand prix weekends in Miami and Montréal?
Based on how F2 typically operates, the rounds are expected to run alongside the Formula 1 grands prix at those venues, though full weekend schedule details have not been confirmed in available information.
Do the North American rounds count toward the F2 championship?
F2 rounds carry full championship points regardless of location, so the Miami and Montréal races will count toward the 2026 drivers’ and teams’ standings.
Will F2 return to North America after 2026?
This has not yet been confirmed. The 2026 rounds are rescheduled replacements, and whether North America becomes a permanent fixture on the F2 calendar is yet to be announced.
How can fans get tickets to the F2 races in Miami and Montréal?
Tickets are typically available through official Formula 1 grand prix ticketing channels for each host city, though fans are advised to book early as both events attract large crowds.
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