2026 has arrived, and it won’t be long until Formula 1 is back in action with the first collective shakedown of the new cars taking place at the end of January. After an epic 2025 that saw a three-way title fight go down to the final round, what does the next season have in store? There are plenty of reasons to already be looking forward to 2026.
1. New regulations
Whether you are a casual follower of Formula 1 or dedicate almost every spare moment of your life to the sport, you are probably aware by now that there will be new regulations coming into force next year.
It’s a complete overhaul of both the cars and the power units, with smaller, lighter machines that do not prioritise ground effect in the same way as the more recent designs. There will be a form of active aerodynamics – where the configurations of the front and rear wings can change depending on where a car is on track – that means a brand new design philosophy is required.
The power units are also undergoing their biggest change since 2014, with the same 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged size now featuring a roughly 50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy to power the car. The complex and heavy MGU-H has been removed, and the power units will run on 100% sustainable fuels.
The increased energy recovered under braking can be deployed creatively by drivers, while there will also be a manual override mode to provide a further power boost when within a second of the car in front (a bit like DRS as an overtaking aid).
It all adds up to a new challenge for the drivers, including extra ways for them to find ways of differentiating their performance on track. And, of course, as is often the case with new regulations, it could lead to a shake-up of the competitive order between teams.
2. Four World Champions on the grid
For the first time in four years, there will be four drivers’ champions on the same grid, just one shy of the all-time record. Lando Norris joins Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso as those racing with a title already under their belts, making for a combined 14 championships between them.
Having joined that exclusive club, will we see a change in Norris? The McLaren driver admits he proved himself wrong at times during the 2025 season, as doubts crept in over his ability to win a title, but he is now set to carry the iconic number 1 on his car in the coming year, and becomes the driver that everyone is trying to beat.
3. A potentially amazing driver market
There was very little movement in terms of the driver market between the 2025 and 2026 seasons, with a number of drivers already contracted into the new regulations. Red Bull and Racing Bulls will see partially different line-ups next year, while Cadillac bring a whole new pair of seats to the grid. But over the coming season, things could become a lot more active.
A number of the drivers are understood to have contracts that either expire at the end of 2026, or feature clauses that could be invoked at that stage. The biggest player in the market could be Max Verstappen, who found himself at the centre of speculation relating to his future during 2025 but committed to stay with Red Bull for at least another year. The new car’s performance could be a deciding factor in whether he has the chance to look elsewhere should the wish.
Mercedes took a long time to confirm their driver line-up for next season and only officially stated George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are locked in for 2026, while Aston Martin could have two openings that are likely to prove very attractive.
As many as three quarters of the seats could be up for discussion, and while that doesn’t guarantee movement, it usually leads to plenty of intrigue when it comes to the driver market.
4. A new race in Madrid
Party like it’s 2012, we’re going to have two races in different Spanish cities next year. Barcelona remains on the calendar in 2026 – under the title of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix – and will be joined by Madrid, as the Spanish Grand Prix officially moves homes.
The new venue is set to be a thrilling mix of street circuit challenges and high-speed sections, with a banked turn called ‘La Monumental’ featuring a 24% banking gradient and grandstands all around the outside as drivers tackle the half-kilometre section. There are also significant elevation changes, as the Madring track makes use of public roads around the IFEMA Madrid exhibition centre as well as permanent segments.
A brand new track on the schedule often provides excitement as drivers have no prior knowledge of the venue, and all have to work out the tips and tricks required to get the most out of a lap as quickly as possible.
5. Big new arrivals
Long before we reach Madrid in September, there will have been some significant new arrivals on the competitor side, as the grid expands to 22 cars and new partnerships come into effect.
From a team point of view, there will be a brand new entrant in Cadillac, with the American outfit gearing up for their first year of racing. With facilities in Indianapolis, Charlotte and Silverstone, Cadillac have a footprint in a number of iconic motorsport locations, but also have to get the logistical side of the team operating effectively at the same time as building up much of their infrastructure.
Cadillac might be a new name on the grid, but they bring with them two familiar drivers, with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas making up an extremely experienced – and successful – driver line-up, under the guidance of team principal Graeme Lowdon and CEO Dan Towriss.
They are not the only American arrival, though, as another massive automotive name returns to the grid. Ford will partner with Red Bull Powertrains, bringing their battery technology expertise to the table as Red Bull become a power unit manufacturer for the first time.
That represents a new power unit supplier on the grid, and they are not the alone as Audi also enter in 2026. Taking over the Sauber team, Audi will have their own power unit having spent years preparing for the entry as a full constructor.
The German car giant have set a target of fighting for championships five years into the project, and it will be fascinating to see where all of the new arrivals start from.
6. Aston Martin x Honda
On top of the new additions to the grid, there are some new partnerships to get excited about that involve brands already in the sport.
Honda officially withdrew in 2021 but then continued to support Red Bull through to the new set of power unit regulations, when they return as a full manufacturer with Aston Martin. Given Honda’s success in the most recent era, it is already a formidable pairing, but add in the arrival of Adrian Newey at Aston Martin and the ingredients are in place for a big jump up the grid.
Newey is now team principal, and Aston Martin have spectacular facilities to go alongside their impressive partner list, as they look to take advantage of the change in regulations to become championship contenders in the near future.
If Newey and Honda work their magic once again, could Fernando Alonso be chasing a third world title at the age of 45?
7. Lindblad and Hadjar
From the most experienced driver on the grid to the newest arrival, there’s another exciting young talent to keep an eye on in 2026.
Arvid Lindblad steps up into a race seat with Racing Bulls having impressed during a rapid rise through the junior ranks – he was still karting as recently as 2022. Fourth in his rookie Formula 3 season was followed by sixth in the Formula 2 standings last year, and a Formula Regional Oceania championship victory helped secure his Super Licence to race alongside Liam Lawson.
The British-Swedish driver – who is also of Indian heritage – takes the seat vacated by Isack Hadjar, who becomes the latest to take on the challenge of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
Hadjar earned the drive with an impressive rookie season that included a podium at Zandvoort, and how he performs next to the four-time World Champion will be one of the many storylines to keep an eye on, with the potential for so much more driver movement in 12 months’ time.
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