Formula 1 is gearing up for a massive new era in 2026, with sweeping technical regulation changes to both power units and chassis/aerodynamics. These include more agile cars, active aero (replacing DRS), increased electrical power (up to 350kW), removal of the MGU-H, and 100% sustainable fuels. The grid expands to 11 teams with the debut of Cadillac, and Audi fully taking over Sauber.

Key Recent Highlights
2025 Season Recap: Lando Norris (McLaren) won his first Drivers’ Championship in a dramatic three-way battle. Max Verstappen was voted Driver of the Year by team principals for the fifth time, despite finishing runner-up. McLaren dominated the Constructors’ title.

Pre-Season Prep: Aston Martin recently fired up their 2026 car (AMR26) for the first time, signaling the start of on-track development. Honda also held a power unit launch.

Testing Schedule: Expanded due to regs – Private test in Barcelona (Jan 26-30), followed by two three-day sessions in Bahrain (Feb 11-13 and 18-20).

Confirmed 2026 Car/Livery Launch Dates
Launch season starts earlier than usual due to the regs overhaul:

Jan 15: Red Bull & Racing Bulls (liveries at Ford event in Detroit)
Jan 20: Audi (livery in Berlin)
Jan 23: Ferrari (full car reveal), Alpine, Haas
Feb 8: Cadillac (big event, possibly Super Bowl tie-in)
Feb 9: Aston Martin

Others (McLaren, Mercedes, Williams) TBD, but expected in January/early February.

Ferrari is taking an aggressive approach, planning multiple car specs, while Red Bull gets positive updates on their new Ford-powered unit.

2026 Driver Lineup (Full Grid)
McLaren: Lando Norris / Oscar Piastri (champions aiming to defend)
Red Bull: Max Verstappen / Isack Hadjar (promoted from RB)

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc / Lewis Hamilton (Hamilton’s second year; pressure after winless 2025)
Mercedes: George Russell / Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso / Lance Stroll

Alpine: Pierre Gasly / Franco Colapinto

Williams: Alex Albon / Carlos Sainz

Audi (ex-Sauber): Nico Hülkenberg / Gabriel Bortoleto

Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson / Arvid Lindblad (rookie from F2)
Cadillac (new team): Sergio Pérez / Valtteri Bottas (experienced duo for debut)

Only one full rookie (Lindblad); emphasis on veterans for the regs reset.
2026 Calendar Highlights

24 races, starting in Australia (March 6-8).
New: Madrid street circuit (“Madring”) replaces Imola (second Spanish race).

Sprints: China, Miami, Canada, Britain, Netherlands, Singapore.

Finale: Abu Dhabi (Dec 6).