Canadian Grand Prix Start Time Shifted to Avoid Indy 500 Clash

• Canadian GP will start at 4 p.m. local (9 p.m. BST) in 2026 to ease scheduling conflict with the Indianapolis 500.
• Race moved to Memorial Day weekend on May 24 to streamline freight logistics after Miami.
• Adjustment creates a 3 hour 15 minute buffer after the Indy 500’s traditional start time.

The start time of the Canadian Grand Prix has been moved to 4 p.m. local time, 9 p.m. (BST), in an effort to avoid clashing with the Indianapolis 500, which takes place on the same day.

The Canadian round has also been brought forward to May 24 next season so that freight from the Miami Grand Prix can remain in North America, rather than being shipped back to Europe and then returned across the Atlantic as it was this year.

The decision to hold the race on Memorial Day weekend initially drew criticism, as it appeared to set up a direct clash with the Indianapolis 500, which runs in the same time zone. In response, Formula 1 pushed the Canadian Grand Prix start two hours later than this year’s 2 p.m. green flag, creating a 3 hour 15 minute window after the Indianapolis 500’s traditional 12.45 p.m. start time.

The last five runnings of the Indianapolis 500 have been completed in under three hours, although the race can overrun or be delayed by weather.

Formula 1 has also confirmed that the Canadian Grand Prix will only directly coincide with the Indianapolis 500 once in a five-year cycle, meaning no future clash between 2027 and 2030.