PARIS – Formula One will have two races in Spain next season with Madrid making its debut in September and Italy's Imola dropping off the 24-round calendar, the governing FIA announced on June 10.

Melbourne's Australian Grand Prix will again be the season-opener on March 8 with China's Shanghai circuit hosting round two a week later, as the sport enters a new engine era with Cadillac also arriving as an 11th team.

Monaco will be the first European round on June 7 with Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya scheduled the following week.

Madrid's new street circuit will debut as the last race in Europe on Sept 13, the weekend after the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Imola was out of contract after this season's race and drops off the list.

The season will end in Abu Dhabi on Dec 6.

“We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula One grid,” said Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali.

“It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe.”

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the FIA, added: “Next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport. A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition.

“With 24 Grands Prix across five continents, the season truly reflects the global nature of our community, while the improved geographical flow of the calendar shows our joint commitment to making the championship more efficient and sustainable.”

Swiss-based Sauber will become the Audi works team in 2026 while Ford are partnering with Red Bull.

Calendar:

March 8 - Australia, MelbourneMarch 15 - China, ShanghaiMarch 29 - Japan, SuzukaApril 12 - Bahrain, SakhirApril 19 - Saudi Arabia, JeddahMay 3 - United States, MiamiMay 24 - Canada, MontrealJune 7 - MonacoJune 14 - Spain, BarcelonaJune 28 - Austria, SpielbergJuly 5 - Britain, SilverstoneJuly 19 - Belgium, Spa-FrancorchampsJuly 26 - Hungary, BudapestAugust 23 - Netherlands, ZandvoortSeptember 6 - Italy, MonzaSeptember 13 - Spain, MadridSeptember 27 - Azerbaijan, BakuOctober 11 - SingaporeOctober 25...