The defining change of the 2026 season is a new power unit architecture. While the 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine was retained, the MGU-H system was eliminated and the MGU-K output increased dramatically — from 160 bhp to 470 bhp — shifting the power balance so that electrical energy now accounts for roughly half of total power output. Internal combustion power fell from 850 bhp to 540 bhp. All power units run on fully sustainable fuel, and the new design targets approximately twice the electrical energy recovery of the previous generation.
Car architecture changed alongside the power units. Wheelbase was shortened from 360 cm to 340 cm and width from 200 cm to 190 cm, while minimum mass dropped by 30 kg and tyre widths were reduced. The drag reduction system was replaced by active front and rear wings, controlled by the driver via a manual "overtake mode" that lowers downforce by around 15%. At Monaco, the active aerodynamics were disabled given the circuit's specific characteristics. The team operational expenditure cap increased to $215 million, and the power unit manufacturer cap to $130 million.
Cadillac joined the grid as the eleventh constructor — the first new team since Haas in 2016 — initially using Ferrari power units, with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as its drivers. Audi entered as a works team following its acquisition of Sauber, fielding its own power unit. Honda established an exclusive works supply agreement with Aston Martin, severing its previous relationship with Red Bull Racing. Ford returned to Formula One as an engine supplier for the first time since 2004, partnering with Red Bull Powertrains to supply Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Renault exited the sport as an engine supplier — the first time since 2000 that the championship has run without Renault power — leaving Alpine to become a Mercedes customer team.
Among the most significant driver moves, Kimi Antonelli joined Mercedes alongside George Russell. Isack Hadjar was promoted to Red Bull Racing, replacing Yuki Tsunoda, who moved to a test and development role. Arvid Lindblad stepped up from Formula 2 to fill Hadjar's seat at Racing Bulls. Oliver Bearman took a race seat at Haas. The new Cadillac entry returned both Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas to the grid after each had been displaced from their previous teams.
The calendar was reduced from a planned twenty-four races to twenty-two after the Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled due to security concerns arising from the Iran war. Six rounds carried the sprint format: the Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch, and Singapore Grands Prix. The Spanish Grand Prix moved from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló to a new street circuit in Madrid centred on the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, while Barcelona-Catalunya separately hosted the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was discontinued after its hosting contract expired. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was rescheduled to a Saturday date to accommodate Azerbaijan's national Remembrance Day.
George Russell opened the season with victory at the Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes. Kimi Antonelli then emerged as the dominant force, winning consecutively in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco. At Shanghai, Antonelli took pole position and became the youngest polesitter in Formula One history; at Monaco he claimed a grand chelem — pole, sprint victory, race win, and fastest lap — while also becoming the youngest winner of the Monaco Grand Prix. His run of victories made him the championship leader after seven rounds and prompted comparisons to Italy's great champions of earlier eras.
Lewis Hamilton claimed his first victory as a Ferrari driver at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, becoming the oldest Grand Prix winner since Jack Brabham in 1970. Max Verstappen secured Red Bull's first podium of the season in Canada, finishing third. Oscar Piastri returned from an absence caused by injury to reach the podium in Japan, while McLaren sought to recover ground on Mercedes across the mid-season races.
Oliver Bearman suffered a heavy crash at the Japanese Grand Prix, which prompted discussion among teams and the FIA about the behaviour of the new active aerodynamics under high-speed conditions.