F1 2026 Preview: New Rules, New Teams, and Exciting Changes Ahead
The 2025 Formula 1 season ended with McLaren claiming both the constructors’ and drivers’ titles, but 2026 promises a radically different landscape. The sport will introduce major technical regulation changes and welcome an 11th team to the grid. BBC Sport highlights what fans can expect next year.
A Bold New Era of Regulations
The 2026 regulations represent the biggest overhaul in F1 in years. Cars will be smaller, lighter, and more environmentally friendly — 30kg lighter, 10cm narrower, and powered by hybrid engines with an almost 50-50 split between electric and internal combustion energy, using fully sustainable fuels.
Both chassis and engine rules have been extensively revised. While engines remain 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrids, the MGU-H unit has been removed, and hybrid output has doubled to roughly 50%. Aerodynamics have also changed, with movable front and rear wings replacing the 2022 venturi-underbody philosophy to boost straight-line speed and energy recovery under braking.
The DRS overtaking system is gone, replaced by a push-to-pass button that delivers extra electrical energy. Drivers are adjusting to the unknown:
“It feels so much different… maybe overtaking will be incredible, maybe easier,” says Lewis Hamilton.
Rainy conditions and less downforce could make cars much more challenging to drive next season.
Rising Stars and Driver Moves
While most drivers remain, a few changes stand out. Isack Hadjar moves from Racing Bulls to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull. His seat at the sister team goes to 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, a British rookie with Swedish and Indian heritage, who finished sixth in Formula 2 and will partner Liam Lawson.
Cadillac Enters F1
Next season, Cadillac, backed by General Motors, joins the grid as the 11th team. Their inaugural line-up features Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, combining 106 podiums between them. Graeme Lowdon will be team principal, and Cadillac will run Ferrari power units for the first three seasons, with GM engines arriving in 2029.
Sauber Transforms into Audi
German manufacturer Audi takes over the Swiss-based Sauber team, which finished ninth in 2025. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto remain as drivers, with Jonathan Wheatley as team boss and former Ferrari principal Mattia Binotto heading Audi’s F1 project. Audi is designing a new engine to comply with 2026 regulations.
Engine Partnerships Shift
Red Bull begins a new engine partnership with Ford, ending its collaboration with Honda. Honda will now supply engines to Aston Martin, where Adrian Newey takes over as team principal. Meanwhile, Renault exits F1 engine production, leaving Alpine to use Mercedes power units.
Calendar Updates
The 2026 calendar features 24 races. Highlights include:
- Madrid replaces Imola as the Spanish Grand Prix, taking place 11-13 September on a hybrid public/private circuit.
- Barcelona-Catalunya runs 12-14 June.
- Canada shifts to 22-24 May, aligning with the Miami GP on 1-3 May.
- Monaco moves back to 5-7 June.
Six circuits will host sprint events: Silverstone, China, Miami, Canada, Zandvoort (final year), and Singapore.