The 2026 season saw the entry of Cadillac as the eleventh team on the grid, the first expansion of the field since 2016. Initially utilizing Ferrari power units and gearboxes, the team reached an agreement to transition to an in-house power unit developed by General Motors and TWG Motorsports starting in 2029. Audi officially entered the championship as a works team after acquiring Sauber in 2024, ending the team's two-year stint as Kick Sauber.
Significant shifts occurred among engine suppliers. Ford returned to the sport for the first time since 2004, partnering with Red Bull Powertrains to supply Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Honda ended its relationship with the Red Bull-owned teams to enter an exclusive works agreement with Aston Martin through its Honda Racing Corporation subsidiary. Renault ceased its engine supply program, leading Alpine to become a Mercedes customer team for the first time since the Enstone-based outfit competed as Lotus in 2015.
The grid featured several veteran returns and rookie promotions. Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas returned to full-time competition with the new Cadillac entry. Pérez joined the team after his Red Bull Racing contract was terminated by mutual agreement at the conclusion of 2024, while Bottas moved from a reserve role at Mercedes. Red Bull Racing promoted Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls to replace Yuki Tsunoda, who transitioned to a test and reserve driver role. Hadjar's former seat at Racing Bulls was filled by Arvid Lindblad, who moved up from Formula 2.
The 2026 technical regulations introduced power units that maintain over 1,000 bhp but shift the balance of power. The MGU-H was removed, while the MGU-K output was increased from 160 bhp to 470 bhp. Conversely, the internal combustion engine's output was reduced from 850 bhp to 540 bhp. These units utilize fully sustainable fuel with energy-based flow rate limits.
The car concept revealed in June 2024 introduced active aerodynamics in the front and rear wings. The traditional drag reduction system (DRS) was replaced by "overtake mode," a manual override providing extra energy when a driver is within one second of the car ahead. Physical dimensions were also reduced, with the wheelbase shortened to 340 cm and the width narrowed to 190 cm.
The operational cost cap for teams was increased to $215 million to account for inflation and previously exempted costs. A separate $130 million cap was established for power unit manufacturers. Sporting changes included a mandate that 55% of a car's surface area must be covered by livery to prevent excessive exposed carbon. Additionally, the FIA introduced mandated cooling vests for heat hazards and granted stewards the authority to initiate reviews based on new evidence without a competitor's formal request.
George Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from pole position, leading a Mercedes one-two finish ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. At the Chinese Grand Prix, Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history and secured his maiden victory. Russell took pole position for the sprint race at the same event.
The Japanese Grand Prix was marked by a high-speed crash involving Oliver Bearman, which triggered a safety car. Antonelli utilized the caution to switch to fresher tyres and secure his second consecutive victory. This result made Antonelli the youngest leader of the World Drivers' Championship and the first Italian to lead the standings since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The 2026 calendar was reduced from twenty-four to twenty-two races following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the outbreak of the Iran war. The Spanish Grand Prix moved to a new street circuit in Madrid, while the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosted the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix moved to a Saturday schedule to accommodate the country's Remembrance Day.
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