The relocation of the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to a Madrid street circuit was among the headline calendar revisions announced for the 2026 season. The IFEMA Exhibition Centre circuit represents Formula One's first permanent foray into the Spanish capital. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which had hosted the Spanish Grand Prix for decades, retained a round on the 2026 calendar as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix — a distinct event from the relocated Spanish Grand Prix.
The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship — the 77th running of the championship — introduced the most extensive regulatory changes since the start of the hybrid era in 2014. The power unit regulations removed the MGU-H and raised MGU-K output to 470 bhp (350 kW), while reducing the internal combustion contribution to approximately 540 bhp (400 kW); total output remains above 1,000 bhp. Fully sustainable fuel is mandatory. Active aerodynamics — moveable front and rear wing elements — replaced the drag reduction system, with an "overtake mode" deployable within one second of the car ahead. Cars were downsized, with wheelbase reduced from 360 cm to 340 cm and width from 200 cm to 190 cm.
Three new engine manufacturers joined the grid. Audi entered as a full works team after acquiring Sauber, running as Kick Sauber in 2024–25 before adopting the Audi identity in 2026. Honda relaunched an independent programme as the exclusive works partner of Aston Martin. Ford returned to the sport for the first time since 2004 in partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, supplying Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls. Cadillac became the eleventh constructor using Ferrari power units, with Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas as drivers.
Early in the 2026 season Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes established himself as the dominant figure. He became the youngest Formula One pole-sitter at the Chinese Grand Prix, took his maiden victory there, and followed it with consecutive wins in Japan, Miami, and Canada — four in a row. By the Japanese Grand Prix Antonelli had become the youngest World Drivers' Championship leader and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari led the 1953 standings.
George Russell, Antonelli's teammate, won the Australian season opener and was consistently competitive, but a power unit failure in Canada cost him the race lead and damaged his title position. Lewis Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, took his first win for the team at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix after Fernando Alonso's retirement triggered a virtual safety car that allowed Hamilton, on fresher hard tyres, to pass Russell for the lead. The result was also notable as the first all-British Formula One podium since the 1968 United States Grand Prix, with Russell second and Lando Norris third.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing endured a difficult opening stretch of the season before Verstappen scored the team's first podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, finishing third behind Antonelli and Hamilton. McLaren, the reigning Constructors' Champions, scored points across the season through both Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The 2026 calendar was reduced from twenty-four to twenty-two rounds when the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled due to safety concerns following the outbreak of the Iran war. Six rounds feature the sprint format: China, Miami, Canada, Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola was discontinued after its hosting contract expired in 2025. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was rescheduled to a Saturday to accommodate Azerbaijan's Remembrance Day.
The season-wide cost cap for team operations rose from $135 million to $215 million. Safety updates included lateral ERS-status lights for cars stopped on track, mandatory cooling vests for drivers when a heat hazard is declared, and updated front impact structure standards. Livery rules require at least 55% of a car's visible surface to be covered by paint or stickers to reduce exposed carbon fibre.
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