Just three races into the 2026 Formula 1 season and we've reached a five-week break. Following a season-changing Japanese Grand Prix after a close call

Three races into a new season and an all-new era of regulations, the Formula 1 2026 season has hit an unexpected pause.

The Japanese Grand Prix marked the third race of the 2026 F1 season, and the last competition before a five-week break. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prixs were canceled earlier in March due to conflict.

David Coulthard believes the unexpected five-week break in Formula 1’s calendar could help struggling teams regroup and improve

Teams have differing views on how the five-week gap between the Suzuka and Miami rounds will impact their prospects

Fred Vasseur has outlined Scuderia Ferrari’s plans as Formula 1 enters an extended in-season break. After the opening three races of the 2026 campaign, F1 faces a hiatus following the cancellation

I was close to being convinced of the new regs. But Japan (lightly) changed my mind — 130R is one of F1’s great corners with a flat-out left-hand swoop into the final part of the lap. And you could just tell that the drivers were slower there as the engine tried to harvest energy while at full throttle.