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, who acquired Sauber in 2024, entered as a works team with its own power unit. Cadillac made their 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, who became Red Bull's test and reserve driver. Hadjar's replacement was Arvid Lindblad, who was promoted from Formula 2.
The 2026 calendar originally comprised twenty-four Grands Prix. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled, 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 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 in Imola was discontinued. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is to be held on a Saturday following a request from the promoter and relevant government stakeholders 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 from 2026 onwards.
New power unit regulations have been introduced for the 2026 season. The new power units still produce over 1,000 bhp (750 kW), with the turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine configuration retained. The MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) has been removed, while the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) output increased to 470 bhp (350 kW) from 160 bhp (120 kW). 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.
On 6 June 2024, the 2026 car concept was revealed, featuring new active aerodynamics in both the front and rear wings. The drag reduction system was eliminated, being replaced by a new overtake mode. The wheelbase was reduced from 360 cm (140 in) to 340 cm (130 in), the width was reduced from 200 cm (79 in) to 190 cm (75 in), and the minimum mass was reduced by 30 kg (66 lb). The tyres' widths were also reduced. The floor reduced ground effect to ease the issues cars have suffered with porpoising. The downforce reduction of the 2026 cars compared to the 2022–2025 generation of cars would be around 15%, making the 2026 cars approximately two seconds slower a lap than the 2022–2025 generation of cars.
Safety features were also enhanced, with updated regulations for the front impact structure (FIS) and improved side intrusion protection. The roll hoop's strength was improved, and 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 26 to 30 January, with Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) setting the fastest time. The second test was held at the Bahrain International Circuit from 11–13 February, with Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) setting the fastest time. The third test was also held at the same venue from 18–20 February, with Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) setting the fastest time.
Mercedes' George Russell took pole position for the season opening Australian Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Isack Hadjar qualified third on his debut for Red Bull. Russell secured victory, with Antonelli finishing second to complete a Mercedes one–two. Leclerc finished third, while Hamilton came home in fourth. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris finished fifth for McLaren. Max Verstappen recovered from 20th on the grid to finish sixth.
Russell took his maiden sprint pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix. Antonelli later became the youngest ever Formula One pole-sitter after taking pole position for the main race, and held onto the lead to claim his maiden victory. Hamilton achieved his first podium since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Franco Colapinto scored his first points for Alpine.
Antonelli took a second consecutive pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix and secured his first consecutive victories of the season, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Championship leader. Oscar Piastri and Leclerc rounded out the podium.
At the Miami Grand Prix, Lando Norris converted a sprint pole position to a victory. Antonelli converted pole position to a third consecutive victory. The McLarens of Norris and Piastri completed the podium.
The Canadian Grand Prix saw Russell take pole position for the sprint event and the race itself. Antonelli took his fourth consecutive victory after Russell was forced out due to a power unit failure. Hamilton bettered his highest finish at Ferrari with a second-place finish, with Max Verstappen achieving his and Red Bull's first podium of the season.
Points are awarded to the top ten classified drivers in the race and to the top eight finishers in the sprint. In the case of a tie on points, a countback system is used where the driver with the most Grand Prix wins is ranked higher. If the number of wins is identical, the number of second places is considered, and so on.
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