The most radical regulation overhaul in decades. New power units. Active aerodynamics. 11 teams. 24 races. One question: who rewrites history?
The 77th Formula One World Championship. March 8 to December 6. Everything changes.
Reigning Champion: Lando Norris (McLaren-Mercedes) · Reigning Constructors: McLaren-Mercedes · New Teams: Cadillac, Audi · New Fuel: 100% Sustainable — a first in F1 history
Six innovations that redefine what a Formula 1 car is.
For the first time, the internal combustion engine and electric motor contribute equally to total power output. The MGU-K now produces 350 kW — triple the 2025 figure. The MGU-H (heat recovery) is abolished, simplifying the PU and opening the door for Audi, Ford, and Honda to compete.
DRS is dead. Long live active aero. Both front and rear wings physically move based on driver input and speed. Z-Mode (corners): wings splay wide for maximum downforce. X-Mode (straights): wings flatten to knife through air, reducing drag by 40–55%. A far more complex and spectacular system than DRS ever was.
Boost Mode: on-demand electric energy burst — available any time the driver has stored charge. Overtake Mode: extra energy burst ONLY when within 1 second of the car ahead (like DRS rules). Recharge Mode: harvesting electrical energy by lifting off throttle. Racing strategy has never been more complex.
All 11 teams run on 100% advanced sustainable fuel — either synthetic (e-fuel) or bio-based. Chemically identical to fossil fuel but carbon-neutral in lifecycle. Ferrari uses their own proprietary blend; Red Bull uses Esso Synergy (ExxonMobil). A landmark moment for motorsport's environmental legacy.
Wheelbase cut by 200 mm. Width reduced by 100 mm. Weight down 30 kg to 768 kg. Tyres are 25–30 mm narrower. The result: more agile, more nimble cars that are approximately 2 seconds per lap slower than the 2025 generation — but far easier to follow through corners, enabling closer racing.
Two-stage Front Impact Structure absorbs energy progressively rather than detaching. Roll hoop strength increased from 16g to 20g. Load testing raised from 141 kN to 167 kN. Lateral safety lights show ERS status when a car stops on track. The 2026 cars are the safest in Formula 1 history.
Pre-season assessment based on testing performance and manufacturer track record.
Click any team to expand the full analysis.
Pre-season ranking based on pace, machinery, and championship potential.
Set fastest time in Bahrain Test 2. Mercedes' biggest bet since Hamilton.
Promoted after Lawson's demotion. French-Algerian talent from F2.
British teenager — youngest driver on the 2026 grid.
Round-by-round predictions and key insights for every race.
First look at real hierarchy. Hamilton could make a statement debut in red.
McLaren historically strong here. Sprint race adds chaos.
Cherry blossoms out. High-downforce suits PU efficiency. Verstappen's favourite circuit.
Power-sensitive circuit. Mercedes PU advantage maximised under floodlights.
Ultra-fast street circuit. Top speed circuits suit Ford PU characteristics.
McLaren home race feel. Norris or Piastri. Sprint adds strategic complexity.
Energy management critical here. Stop-start layout = Overtake Mode battles on the long straight.
Low-energy circuits reduce Mercedes PU advantage. Newey's AMR26 could be a surprise. Alonso in Monaco is always special.
Well-rounded circuit suits top PUs. Development updates typically arrive here.
Red Bull home race. Verstappen motivated by crowd. Short, high-speed layout.
Hamilton at Silverstone in red — the crowd will be electric. High-speed flowing layout.
Long straights maximise PU power advantage. Spa's weather adds unpredictability.
Monaco of permanent circuits. Slow and twisty reduces PU gap — Newey's design could shine.
Verstappen home race. Banked corners. Red Bull always elevates here.
Temple of Speed. Low downforce. Ferrari at home = emotional. Hamilton's first Monza in red.
FIRST EVER Madrid GP. Brand new circuit — unknown layout favours PU advantage. Historic moment.
Baku rewards bravery and top speed. Long straight suits Ford PU. Safety car chaos likely.
Night street circuit. Low-energy layout reduces Mercedes PU advantage. Newey's AMR26 could shine here.
Balanced, technical circuit. Suits well-rounded packages. Home crowd for Cadillac.
High altitude reduces engine power — narrows PU gap. Red Bull historically dominant. Pérez's home race (Cadillac).
Old-school unpredictable circuit. Brazilian weather adds chaos. Verstappen or Hamilton in the wet.
Long straights + night spectacle. PU power maximised. The most glamorous race on the calendar.
High-speed, energy-intensive circuit. Teams must manage tyres AND energy simultaneously.
Season finale. Whoever leads will be cautious. Expect strategic drama. The curtain falls on December 6.
Six narratives that will define the 2026 season. Click to expand.
Based on pre-season testing, power unit hierarchy, and driver talent assessment.
The 2026 cars produce ~1,000 bhp but weigh only 768 kg — a power-to-weight ratio of ~1,300 bhp/tonne.
Verstappen's Red Bull contract runs until 2028 — he's committed despite public retirement talk.
Hamilton's Ferrari contract is multi-year — he's not going anywhere soon.
Cadillac plans to switch to a GM-built power unit by 2029 — this is just the beginning.
The new Madrid circuit is built around the IFEMA convention centre — part street, part purpose-built.
Kimi Antonelli set the fastest time in Bahrain Test 2 — 1:32.803 — at just 19 years old.
The fastest lap point was abolished in 2025 and remains gone in 2026.
Alpine switched from Renault to Mercedes power — their first Mercedes-powered car since 2015 (as Lotus).
Aston Martin ended the Bahrain test early due to Honda PU issues — before the season even began.
The MGU-H removal means turbo lag returns to F1 for the first time since 2013.