New look, new sound
Formulation 1 has gone via a dramatic transformation forward of the 2026 season. Gone are the ground-effect automobiles and the previous turbo-hybrid motors, changed by revolutionary new chassis and energy unit guidelines that intention to combine up the racing.
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Let’s begin on the surface with the brand new chassis and aerodynamic guidelines, which have modified the way in which the brand new technology of automobiles look and race. The 2026 chassis are smaller and lighter than the automobiles they change – with the wheelbase dropping by 200mm, the width lowering by 100mm and the minimal weight dropping by 30kg. Based on drivers , and , the brand new equipment is “extra nimble” – so intention one full.
DRS can be gone for 2026, however a moveable wing on the rear of the automobiles stays and is now joined by a cellular unit on the entrance as properly. These two elements can sit in two states – one to be used on straights and the opposite to be used within the corners. The intention was to significantly scale back drag on the straights as there have been fears concerning the prime pace that could possibly be reached with the brand new energy models.
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Which brings us on to the adjustments made within the engine bay, as all-new hybrid energy models will roll out this 12 months that includes a near-50:50 break up in inner combustion and electrical energy.
The brand new engines nonetheless depend on a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 inner combustion engine, however the compression ratio has dropped for 2026, and a sophisticated hybrid factor removes the MGU-H discovered within the previous energy models and will increase the reliance on the MGU-Okay. Now, round 50% of the automotive’s energy will come from the regeneration unit, which can be capable of generate electrical energy whereas the automotive is braking, coasting and on the throttle. Because of this, {the electrical} vitality has jumped from 120kW to 350kW this 12 months.
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac Racing
Cadillac and Audi be a part of the fold
These all-new automobiles might be raced by two new manufacturers, as automakers Audi and Cadillac will be a part of the F1 grid for the primary time in 2026.
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has taken over the historic Sauber crew and it’ll now run as a full works outfit for the German model. The producer has invested closely within the ageing crew, each at its Hinwil base and at a brand new engine plant in Neuburg in Germany. That’s proper, Audi can even be a part of F1 as an influence unit producer – one in every of 5 on the line-up this 12 months.
The crew admits that becoming a member of the grid as a brand new energy unit producer is an enormous ask, however is doing so with quite a lot of F1 expertise behind it. Ex-Ferrari boss Mattea Binotto leads the undertaking and former Crimson Bull ace Jonathan Wheatley is crew principal. They’re joined by veteran racer Niko Hulkenberg, who companions rising star – now in his second season in F1.
Cadillac, in the meantime, is an all-new entry on the grid and brings the entire variety of groups in F1 as much as 11 for the primary time since 2016.
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The American crew will begin its F1 journey as a Ferrari buyer, utilizing the Italian model’s engines earlier than its personal energy unit undertaking comes on-line from 2029. For its debut season, the crew will run a putting two-sided livery in 2026, with the skilled palms of and on the wheel.
Each new outfits face a monumental mountain to climb in turning into aggressive within the F1 grid, however a laws refresh opens up the pecking order to any crew with a vibrant concept and a dream.
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Crimson Bull: The works
Audi isn’t the one new energy unit producer in F1 this 12 months, as all eyes are actually on and the engine that it has developed in partnership with Ford. In 2026, Crimson Bull-Ford Powertrains will construct engines for Crimson Bull and .
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Not like Audi, which has virtually no expectations on its first F1 engines, Crimson Bull has the strain of six constructors’ crowns and eight drivers’ titles hanging over it – which means all eyes might be on the Austrian vitality maker and its newest endeavour.
The indicators are constructive up to now, nonetheless, because it managed some robust mileage throughout its two groups in pre-season testing, and the efficiency ramped up in Bahrain the place some Mercedes-powered groups concluded that Crimson Bull was the crew to beat. Nevertheless, instances in testing aren’t consultant of instances in a grand prix, and Crimson Bull can have quite a bit to show – each to its naysayers and to star driver who’s at all times rumoured to be nearing the exit when the outcomes cease coming his means.
After the Bahrain check, opinions seem combined on how Crimson Bull has fared with its first in-house energy unit. and prospects groups together with have gone to nice size to spotlight the strengths of the DM01, Crimson Bull’s first engine, even going as far as to model it essentially the most highly effective.
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Nevertheless, the crew itself is much less optimistic, and technical director Pierre Wache conceded that Crimson Bull would not be a front-running outfit in 2026, claiming that Ferrari, Mercedes and are the leaders. Which aspect ought to be believed will stay a thriller till the Australian season opener.
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad: Rookie of the 12 months
New chassis guidelines, new engine guidelines, new groups on the grid – you would be forgiven for pondering every little thing was brand-new in F1 this 12 months. Nicely, there’s one factor that’s decidedly previous and that’s the driving force line-up in 2026, as there might be only one rookie racer this 12 months.
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is the only rookie driver on the grid in 2026, and he joins Racing Bulls alongside . The British racer has been a part of the Crimson Bull junior programme since 2021, and raced his means via Italian F4, the place he completed third; Formulation 3, the place he received on debut within the Bahrain dash race; and at last Formulation 2, the place he took three wins on his method to sixth within the championship.
Now, he faces a tricky transition to Formulation 1 in a 12 months of change for the sequence, and in a crew that’s notoriously powerful on its juniors.
Earlier than making his on-track debut with the crew, the 18-year-old admitted that Racing Bulls had warned him that his transfer into F1 can be “tough”, and he informed Formula1.com in Abu Dhabi that he was “conscious of the truth that it will likely be an enormous problem.”
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The dimensions of the problem grew to become clear when he went off monitor throughout his first style of the VCARB 03 throughout a shakedown in Italy. Preparations for the brand new season have solely ramped up since then with Lindblad working in Barcelona and Bahrain, the place he was requested if being a rookie in 2026 may very well show to be a bonus given the widespread overhaul of the sequence. Unsurprisingly, he was diplomatic in his response.
“Perhaps, I do not know,” he stated. “It is probably not one thing I take into consideration, it is the way in which it’s. So, I am simply targeted on working arduous and making an attempt to arrange for the season. As a result of that is the factor that is going to assist me to carry out higher.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Alexander Albon, Williams
Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Alexander Albon, Williams
One other tight title combat
Once you break them down, the intention of the 2026 F1 laws was to make the championship extra thrilling – which suggests extra overtakes, nearer racing and, perhaps, a wider championship combat.
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After F1 testing, and relying on who you ask, opinion is break up on whether or not the shakeup has managed this – as rule adjustments are infamous for making a dominant crew whereas the remainder of the grid performs catch up. Some assume Mercedes goes to be dominant as soon as once more, and suspect there was a touch of sandbagging within the check to cover its true potential. Others level to Crimson Bull and its vitality deployment as an actual power, after which there’s Ferrari, which was quietly constant and will have some methods up its sleeve.
As such, the driving force with the “favorite” tag has ebbed and flowed in latest weeks – initially was seen because the one to beat, then Verstappen. In fact, one in every of these drivers may show to be formidable come the Australian Grand Prix. However, on the identical time, Mercedes, Crimson Bull and Ferrari may all turn into within the combine, alongside Mercedes buyer crew McLaren, which might be out for a 3rd consecutive constructors’ crown.
If these 4 groups actually are on the identical stage, and solely time will inform if that is so, we could possibly be on for a really dramatic combat for the drivers crown as Russell fights with Piastri and for his or her first crowns, and Verstappen, and all look so as to add to their tallies.
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