Lando Norris is the reigning World Drivers' Champion, while McLaren-Mercedes are the reigning World Constructors' Champions. The 2026 season features major regulation changes, including a revised power unit configuration and new active aerodynamics. Audi, which acquired Sauber in 2024, enters as a works team with its own power unit. Cadillac is making its debut in the championship using Ferrari power units, marking the first time an eleventh team has competed since 2016.
Honda, through its Honda Racing Corporation subsidiary, entered into an exclusive works team agreement with Aston Martin, supplying them with their own power unit after ending its relationship with Red Bull Racing. Ford returned to the sport for the first time since 2004, supporting Red Bull Powertrains in supplying power units to Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Renault is no longer an engine supplier as Alpine switched to Mercedes power units.
Each team is required to enter at least two drivers, one for each of the two mandatory cars. All teams compete with tyres supplied by Pirelli. On four occasions throughout the season (twice for each car), each team must field a driver who has not competed in more than two races in one of the first two free practice sessions of a Grand Prix weekend.
Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas returned to full-time seats with Cadillac. Isack Hadjar moved from Racing Bulls to Red Bull Racing, replacing Yuki Tsunoda. Arvid Lindblad was promoted from Formula 2 to replace Hadjar.
The 2026 calendar originally comprised twenty-four Grands Prix. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled due to the outbreak of the Iran war, reducing the count of confirmed Grands Prix to twenty-two. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore Grands Prix feature the sprint format.
The Spanish Grand Prix moved from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to a new street circuit in Madrid. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya continues to host a race under the name Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola was discontinued. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is to be held on a Saturday to accommodate Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day.
Financial, power unit, aerodynamic, geometric, and safety regulations were altered for the 2026 season. The Formula One cost cap for team operational expenditures was increased from $135 million to $215 million. A separate cost cap for power unit manufacturers was also increased from $95 million to $130 million.
New power unit regulations were introduced. The turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine configuration is retained, but the MGU-H has been removed. The MGU-K output increased to 470 bhp (350 kW) from 160 bhp (120 kW), and the power output of the internal combustion part of the power unit decreased to 540 bhp (400 kW) from 850 bhp (630 kW). The power units use a fully sustainable fuel.
The 2026 car concept was revealed on June 6, 2024, featuring new active aerodynamics in both the front and rear wings. The drag reduction system was eliminated, replaced by a new overtake mode. 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). The tyres' widths were also reduced. The floor reduced ground effect to ease issues with porpoising. The downforce reduction of the 2026 cars compared to the 2022–2025 generation of cars is around 15%.
Safety features were enhanced, including updates to the front impact structure, improved side intrusion protection, and increased roll hoop strength. Lateral safety lights were mandated to display the Energy Recovery System (ERS) status of a car when it stops on track.
Three pre-season tests were held. The first was a private test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from January 26 to 30, with Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) setting the fastest time. The second and third tests were held at the Bahrain International Circuit from February 11–13 and February 18–20, respectively, with Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) setting the fastest times.
Mercedes' George Russell took pole position and victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, with Antonelli finishing second. Russell also took his maiden sprint pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix. Antonelli later became the youngest ever Formula One pole-sitter and claimed his maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Antonelli took a second consecutive pole position and victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Championship leader. At the Miami Grand Prix, Lando Norris converted a sprint pole position to a victory. Antonelli converted pole position to a third consecutive victory at Miami.
The Canadian Grand Prix saw Russell take pole position for both the sprint and the main race. Antonelli took his fourth consecutive victory after Russell retired due to a power unit failure. Hamilton achieved his highest finish at Ferrari with a second-place finish, and Max Verstappen achieved his and Red Bull's first podium of the season.
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