The UIM Formula 2 World Championship will return in 2026 with five rounds across Lithuania, Italy and Portugal, following the adoption of new regulations including long lap penalties by the UIM Council in Shanghai.
The season opens in Klaipėda, Lithuania on 5-7 June before heading to Brindisi, Italy two weeks later on 26-28 June. Klaipėda hosted a World Championship round in 2025, whilst Brindisi has remained a consistent fixture on the F2 calendar.
European Championship at Viverone
The UIM F2 European Championship will take place at Viverone, Italy on 7-9 August as a standalone championship, sitting between World Championship rounds two and three.
San Nazzaro will host the third World Championship round on 28-30 August, returning to the venue that featured in the 2025 calendar.
Portuguese double-header closes season
Portugal will stage back-to-back rounds to conclude the championship, with Peso da Régua hosting round four on 18-20 September and Vila Velha de Rodão staging the finale on 25-27 September.
Both Portuguese venues have established themselves as regular features on the F2 calendar, with Vila Velha de Rodão frequently serving as the season-closing round.
2026 UIM F2 World Championship*
Round |
Venue |
Country |
Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Klaipėda |
Lithuania |
5-7 June |
2 |
Brindisi |
Italy |
26-28 June |
3 |
San Nazzaro |
Italy |
28-30 August |
4 |
Peso da Régua |
Portugal |
18-20 September |
5 |
Vila Velha de Rodão |
Portugal |
25-27 September |
2026 UIM F2 European Championship*
Venue |
Country |
Dates |
|---|---|---|
Viverone |
Italy |
7-9 August |
* All dates and venues are subject to change
The 2026 calendar maintains F2’s traditional European footprint whilst introducing the long lap penalty system that was adopted by the UIM Council at the Shanghai General Assembly in November 2025.
Chairman of the UIM Formulae Committee Pelle Larsson told Powerboat News:
For 2026, a few new rules will apply. Among other things, we will be able to use a Long Lap Penalty. We are aware that not all race tracks offer the space for this, but we want to be prepared to apply the rule where possible. This will require solid evidence before we can issue a Long Lap Penalty, and we will communicate this in the advance program ahead of any race where it might be used.
I am very confident that we have an amazing F2 racing season ahead in 2026. For several years, we have shown that we are a strong class with high quality. In the upcoming season, we will also be joined by F4 at two of our events, which will add even more strength to our classes.
The future looks bright for us!
John Moore’s involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
