IndyCar driver Conor Daly has sharply criticized Formula 1 for scheduling the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix on the same day as the 110th Indianapolis 500, both occurring on May 24. The F1 race in Montreal is set to start at 2 p.m., overlapping with the latter stages of the Indy 500, a move Daly describes as a direct affront to motorsport fans and the IndyCar community.
Conor Daly condemns F1’s timing of Canadian GP against Indy 500
Fans expressed frustration across social media platforms as the overlapping dates threaten to divide attention between two major motorsport events on what has historically been one of racing’s biggest weekends. Memorial Day weekend traditionally featured three of the sport’s flagship races—the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500, and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600—without any scheduling conflicts. However, Formula 1’s decision to replace Monaco with the Canadian GP has created a direct collision with the Indy 500 for the first time.
Daly, who races for Juncos Hollinger Racing, voiced his disbelief at F1’s scheduling choice despite maintaining respect for the sport and friendships within the F1 paddock. He described the clash as an unnecessary and disrespectful act, saying:
“This is the most arrogant of a shot you can take at just motorsport, in general, and motorsport fans… This is such a disrespectful move to those that just enjoy motorsport. Like why would you do that?” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Further emphasizing his stance, Daly framed the scheduling conflict as an aggressive act toward IndyCar, likening it to a “declaration of war”:
“This is a direct shot at us. It’s almost like a declaration of war. Like this is crazy. I love going to the Canadian GP, think it’s a great event, and I used to go all the time. I raced Formula Ford and 1600 at the Canadian GP when I was 15. I thought it was awesome. But it’s just not necessary. When you talk about they’re doing it for sustainability or whatever, it’s not. It’s literally to just try to flex.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Daly’s comments echoed prior criticism from fellow IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske, who bluntly accused F1 of ruining what many consider “Motorsport Xmas” by creating this direct clash.
F1’s scheduling overlaps with Le Mans also draws Daly’s ire
Beyond the Canadian GP-Indy 500 conflict, Daly also condemned Formula 1 for planning its Spanish Grand Prix on a weekend likely to overlap with the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 2026. The Spanish GP is slated for June 12 to 14 in Barcelona, which will probably coincide with Le Mans, though the endurance race dates have not yet been officially confirmed for that year.
This year’s calendar already presents a similar clash, with the Canadian GP conflicting with a key World Endurance Championship race scheduled on June 15. Daly criticized this continued disregard for other key motorsport events, stating:
“I like F1, but I don’t like the attitude that it seems there is right now that is completely disrespecting anything else. There can be other motorsports that exist, right? Even Le Mans. They have a race scheduled the same weekend as Le Mans, too. That’s a shame. Le Mans is also a very large event.” —Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
Although IndyCar also races on certain weekends clashing with Le Mans, Daly emphasized that F1’s more prominent scheduling choices impose significant strain on the sport’s fanbase and diminish the importance of other major racing disciplines.
Implications of F1’s scheduling decisions for motorsport’s future
Conor Daly’s pointed condemnation highlights a growing tension within the global motorsport calendar as Formula 1 expands its reach and adjusts its event locations. The 2026 clash between F1’s Canadian GP and the Indy 500 threatens to divide viewership and fan engagement on what has long stood as a marquee day in the motorsport world. Daly’s passion for racing, both as a driver and longtime fan, underscores the broader concern that motorsport fans will be forced to choose between competing events instead of celebrating them in harmony.
With prominent figures like Daly and McLaughlin openly challenging F1’s scheduling strategy, the debate over how to balance Formula 1’s growth with respect for established motorsport traditions is likely to intensify. IndyCar’s confidence in dominating fan attention during the overlapping 2026 weekend was also expressed by Daly, signaling the desire for greater recognition within the racing community.
As Formula 1 continues to expand its calendar and venues, the 2026 season will test whether coordination between motorsport series can be preserved or whether clashes will become the new norm, potentially fracturing the fanbase and diminishing the global appeal of these iconic events.
