Formula 1 2026 season preview
Calendar for season 2026
The 2026 Formula One season starts on March 8 in Australia and ends on December 6 in Abu Dhabi. The calendar consists of twenty-four events. The Chinese, Miami, Canadian, British, Dutch and Singapore Grands Prix will feature the sprint format.
| Grand Prix | Circuit | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian | Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne | 8.3 |
| 2 | Chinese | Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai | 15.3 |
| 3 | Japanese | Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka | 29.3 |
| 4 | Bahrain | Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir | 12.4 |
| 5 | Saudi Arabian | Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah | 19.4 |
| 6 | Miami | Miami International Autodrome, Miami | 3.5 |
| 7 | Canadian | Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal | 24.5 |
| 8 | Monaco | Circuit de Monaco, Monaco | 7.6 |
| 9 | Catalunya | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmelo | 14.6 |
| 10 | Austrian | Red Bull Ring, Spielberg | 28.6 |
| 11 | British | Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone | 5.7 |
| 12 | Belgian | Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot | 19.7 |
| 13 | Hungarian | Hungaroring, Mogyorod | 16.7 |
| 14 | Dutch | Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort | 23.8 |
| 15 | Italian | Monza Circuit, Monza | 6.9 |
| 16 | Spanish | Madring, Madrid | 13.9 |
| 17 | Azerbaijan | Baku City Circuit, Baku | 26.9 |
| 18 | Singapore | Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore | 11.10 |
| 19 | United States | Circuit of the Americas, Austin | 25.10 |
| 20 | Mexico City | Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City | 1.11 |
| 21 | Sao Paulo | Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo | 8.11 |
| 22 | Las Vegas | Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Paradise | 21.11 |
| 23 | Qatar | Lusail International Circuit, Lusail | 29.11 |
| 24 | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi | 6.12 |
Technical Regulations
For 2026, F1 will keep the 1.6-litre V6 engines but remove the MGU-H, increase MGU-K output, and reduce internal combustion power, using fully sustainable fuel with doubled energy recovery.
Cars will feature active aerodynamics, smaller dimensions, lighter weight, narrower tires, and reduced ground effect, with downforce cut by about 15%, making them roughly two seconds slower per lap.
Safety improvements include a redesigned front impact structure, stronger roll hoops, better side protection, and mandatory lateral lights showing ERS status for on-track safety.
Sporting Regulations
Drivers may now change their permanent race number during their careers with FIA approval, provided the number is not already in use.
Teams will be required to cover at least 55% of their cars' surfaces with painted or stickered liveries to discourage excessive black carbon exposure for weight saving.
Driver cooling vests will become mandatory when heat hazards are declared, featuring a redesigned vest for improved comfort and safety.
Stewarding procedures will also change, allowing panels to review decisions based on new evidence and introducing an "out of competition" panel for urgent, time-sensitive rulings.
Constructor Championship - preseason odds
| Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes | 2 | Alpine | 50 |
| McLaren | 3.3 | Audi | 67 |
| Ferrari | 6 | Haas | 200 |
| Red Bull | 9 | Racing Bulls | 250 |
| Aston Martin | 13 | Cadillac | 500 |
| Williams | 40 |
Notable team changes
Cadillac will debut as the 11th team, initially using Ferrari engines before introducing its own in-house power unit in 2029. Audi enters for the first time, taking over Sauber and becoming a factory team. Ford returns as an engine supplier with Red Bull Powertrains, while Honda supplies Aston Martin independently, ending its Red Bull partnership. Renault stops supplying Alpine, which becomes a Mercedes customer team.
On the driver front, Cadillac signs Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Red Bull Racing promotes Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls, with Yuki Tsunoda moving to a test role, and Arvid Lindblad joins Racing Bulls from Formula 2.
Alpine
Pierre Gasly (10), Franco Colapinto (43)
engine: Mercedes-AMG F1 M17
chasis: A526
Aston Martin Aramco
Fernando Alonso (14), Lance Stroll (18)
engine: Honda RA626H
chasis: AMR26
Atlassian Williams
Alexander Albon (23), Carlos Sainz Jr. (55)
engine: Mercedes-AMG F1 M17
chasis: FW48
Audi
Gabriel Bortoleto (5), Nico Hulkenberg (27)
engine: Audi AFR 26 Hybrid
chasis: R26
Cadillac
Sergio Perez (11), Valtteri Bottas (77)
engine: Ferrari 067/6
chasis: CA01
Ferrari
Charles Leclerc (16), Lewis Hamilton (44)
engine: Ferrari 067/6
chasis: SF-26
Haas
Esteban Ocon (31), Oliver Bearman (87)
engine: Ferrari 067/6
chasis: VF-26
McLaren
Lando Norris (1), Oscar Piastri (81)
engine: Mercedes-AMG F1 M17
chasis: MCL40
Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli (12), George Russell (63)
engine: Mercedes-AMG F1 M17
chasis: F1 W17
Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson (30), Arvid Lindblad (41)
engine: Red Bull Ford DM01
chasis: VCARB 03
Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen (3), Isack Hadjar (6)
engine: Red Bull Ford DM01
chasis: RB22