The 2026 season features a major revision of both power unit and aerodynamic regulations.
The turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine configuration used since 2014 was retained. The MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit — Heat) was removed, while the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit — Kinetic) output was increased from 160 bhp (120 kW) to 470 bhp (350 kW). The internal combustion output decreased from 850 bhp (630 kW) to 540 bhp (400 kW). Fuel flow rates are now measured by energy rather than fuel mass, and a fully sustainable fuel is in use. Power units are expected to recover twice as much electrical energy as before.
Early in the season, the power unit changes came under scrutiny from drivers. At the Japanese Grand Prix, Oliver Bearman crashed at high speed due to a speed differential caused by differing energy harvesting choices between drivers. The FIA held a review with power unit developers on 9 April, followed by further meetings on 15, 16, and 20 April. Going into the Miami Grand Prix, changes were announced: the "super clipping" limit was increased from 340 bhp (250 kW) to 470 bhp (350 kW), intended to reduce its duration to 2–4 seconds per lap; the qualifying harvesting limit was reduced from 8 MJ (2.2 kWh) to 7 MJ (1.9 kWh).
The drag reduction system was eliminated and replaced with new active aerodynamics and an "overtake mode" — a mode deployable only when the driver behind is within one second of the car ahead. The wheelbase was reduced from 360 cm (140 in) to 340 cm (130 in), the width from 200 cm (79 in) to 190 cm (75 in), and the minimum mass by 30 kg (66 lb). Tyre widths were reduced by 2.5 cm (0.98 in) at the front and 3.0 cm (1.2 in) at the rear. Ground effect was reduced to ease porpoising.
In October 2024, the FIA confirmed the downforce reduction from the 2026-generation cars would be approximately 15% — significantly less than the originally proposed reduction of over 40% — making the cars approximately two seconds per lap slower than the 2022–2025 generation rather than the four seconds initially envisaged.
Official terminology announced on 17 December 2025: "boost mode" for normal ERS deployment; "active aerodynamics" or "active aero" for the moveable wing elements; "recharge" for energy harvesting; "overtake mode" for the proximity-triggered extra-deployment mode.
The team operational cost cap was increased from $135 million to $215 million, primarily due to inflation adjustments and inclusion of previously exempted costs. A separate power unit manufacturer cost cap was increased from $95 million to $130 million to support new hybrid engine development.
Safety changes included a two-stage front impact structure to address previous issues where the structure detached from the survival cell in secondary impacts, improved side intrusion protection around the cockpit and fuel cell, and an improved roll hoop rated to withstand 20 g loads (previously 16 g). Load testing requirements were raised from 141 kN to 167 kN. Lateral safety lights were mandated to indicate ERS status when a car stops on track.
The 2025 requirement for a minimum two-stop strategy at the Monaco Grand Prix was dropped for 2026 after teams and drivers judged it had not improved racing quality.
For 2026, stewards were given the option to initiate a review based on new evidence without requiring a competitor's right-of-review request. An "out of competition" stewards panel was introduced for time-sensitive decisions. The FIA mandated that a minimum of 55% of car surface area (viewed from the side and above) must be covered by painted or stickered livery. Driver cooling vests became mandatory when the FIA declares a heat hazard.
Cadillac became the eleventh team, marking the first new constructor on the grid since Haas in 2016. Cadillac uses Ferrari power units and gearboxes initially, with a transition to a General Motors-developed power unit — approved by the FIA and scheduled from the 2029 season — planned in collaboration with TWG Motorsports.
Audi entered as a works team for the first time, having purchased the Sauber organisation in 2024. The team raced in 2024 and 2025 as Kick Sauber using Ferrari engines before becoming the Audi factory team in 2026. Audi's predecessor company Auto Union competed in Grand Prix racing before World War II.
Ford returned to Formula One as an engine supplier for the first time since providing engines to the Jordan team in 2004, forming a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains to supply Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls.
Honda, through its Honda Racing Corporation subsidiary, split from the two Red Bull-owned teams and entered an exclusive works agreement with Aston Martin, supplying them with its own power unit. Honda had partially withdrawn from Formula One in 2021 while remaining partners of Red Bull Powertrains.
Renault ceased to provide engines for Alpine, marking the first season since 2000 without Renault as a supplier. Alpine became a Mercedes customer team.
Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas moved to Cadillac for full-time seats. Pérez had signed a two-year Red Bull Racing contract through 2026, terminated by mutual agreement at the end of 2024. Bottas had last competed with Sauber in 2024 and served as a Mercedes reserve driver in 2025.
Isack Hadjar moved from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing, replacing Yuki Tsunoda, who became Red Bull's test and reserve driver. Hadjar's seat at Racing Bulls went to Arvid Lindblad, promoted from Formula 2.
The original calendar comprised twenty-four Grands Prix. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled following the outbreak of the Iran war; the FIA cited safety concerns and the impracticality of arranging replacement races at short notice given both events were scheduled early in the season. The confirmed count was reduced to twenty-two.
The Spanish Grand Prix moved from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló to a new street circuit in Madrid built around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya continues to host a race under the name Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was discontinued after its contract to host through 2025 was not renewed. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was scheduled on a Saturday at the request of the promoter and government stakeholders to accommodate Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day.
Sprint format races were held at the Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore Grands Prix.
Three pre-season tests were held — an expansion over previous years to account for the new regulations. The first was a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from 26 to 30 January, in which all teams except Williams participated. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) set the fastest time. The second test was at the Bahrain International Circuit from 11–13 February, with Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) fastest. The third test, also at Bahrain, ran from 18–20 February, with Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) setting the fastest time.
George Russell took pole position for the season-opening race, ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Isack Hadjar qualified third on his Red Bull debut. Russell won; Antonelli finished second for a Mercedes one-two. Leclerc was third and Hamilton fourth. Reigning champion Lando Norris finished fifth after team mate Oscar Piastri crashed on the way to the grid before the race and did not start. Max Verstappen recovered from 20th on the grid — after a qualifying crash — to finish sixth, ahead of Bearman and rookie Arvid Lindblad. Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly completed the points. Five drivers retired. Russell led the Drivers' Championship with 25 points, ahead of Antonelli (18) and Leclerc (15).
Russell took sprint pole ahead of Antonelli and Norris. In the sprint, Hamilton led early exchanges with Russell before Leclerc took third away from Antonelli. Antonelli received a penalty for causing a collision with Hadjar on the opening lap, finishing fifth; the sprint podium was Russell, Leclerc, Hamilton.
For the main race, Antonelli became the youngest Formula One pole-sitter in the series' history. Before the race, Norris, Piastri, Bortoleto, and Albon did not start due to car issues. Hamilton led within the first few turns; Leclerc passed Russell for second. Antonelli regained the lead positions over Leclerc and Hamilton after two laps. Following Lance Stroll's battery failure stranding him at Turn 1, most of the grid switched to a one-stop strategy. Antonelli held the lead to take his maiden Formula One victory. Hamilton achieved his first podium since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Franco Colapinto scored his first points for Alpine, and his first since the 2024 United States Grand Prix at Williams.
Antonelli took a second consecutive pole position ahead of Russell and Piastri. Bearman suffered a heavy crash at high speed, bringing out a safety car. Antonelli made use of the safety car to pit for fresh tyres and retain the lead. Russell finished fourth after losing positions to both Ferraris, managing to re-pass only Hamilton. Antonelli won, taking his first consecutive victories of the season. Behind him, Piastri — in his first race start of the season — and Leclerc completed the podium. Antonelli's victory made him the youngest Drivers' Championship leader in series history and the first Italian driver to lead the championship since Alberto Ascari led and won the 1953 championship.
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