Drivers and teams compete for the titles of World Drivers' Champion and World Constructors' Champion, respectively. Lando Norris is the reigning World Drivers' Champion, while McLaren-Mercedes are the reigning World Constructors' Champions. The 2026 season features a major set of regulation changes with a revised power unit configuration and new active aerodynamics.
Audi, who acquired Sauber in 2024, enter as a works team with its own power unit. Cadillac are making 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. All teams compete with tyres supplied by Pirelli.
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. Hadjar's replacement was Arvid Lindblad, who was promoted from Formula 2.
The 2026 calendar originally comprised twenty-four Grands Prix. The Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were cancelled, reducing the count of confirmed Grands Prix to twenty-two. The Chinese Grand Prix, Miami Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix, British Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix, and Singapore Grand Prix feature the sprint format. The Spanish Grand Prix moved from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to a new street circuit in Madrid. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola was discontinued. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is to be held on a Saturday.
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 have been introduced, retaining the turbocharged 1.6-litre V6 internal combustion engine configuration but removing the MGU-H. The MGU-K output increased to 470 bhp (350 kW) from 160 bhp (120 kW), and the power output of the internal combustion part decreased to 540 bhp (400 kW) from 850 bhp (630 kW). The power units use a fully sustainable fuel. The 2026 car concept features new active aerodynamics in both the front and rear wings, replacing the drag reduction system with a new overtake mode. The wheelbase, width, and minimum mass were reduced, as were the tyres' widths. Safety features were enhanced, including updated front impact structure regulations, improved side intrusion protection, and a stronger roll hoop.
Three pre-season tests were held. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) set the fastest time in the private test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) set the fastest time at the Bahrain International Circuit in the second test, and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) set the fastest time in the third test at the same venue.
George Russell (Mercedes) took pole position and victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Antonelli finished second, completing a Mercedes one–two. Leclerc finished third. Russell took his maiden sprint pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix, which was won by Hamilton. Antonelli later became the youngest ever Formula One pole-sitter for the main race, which he won, claiming his maiden victory. Antonelli took a second consecutive pole position and victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest World Drivers' Championship leader. Norris converted a sprint pole position to a victory at the Miami Grand Prix. Antonelli converted pole position to a third consecutive victory at the Miami Grand Prix. Russell took pole position for the sprint event and the race at the Canadian Grand Prix, but Antonelli took his fourth consecutive victory after Russell retired due to a power unit failure. Hamilton achieved his first podium since the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix with a second-place finish, and Max Verstappen achieved his and Red Bull's first podium of the season.
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