The Biggest Technical Shake-Up in Modern Formula 1
The 2025 season has ended with McLaren taking both championships, but 2026 will transform the sport. Formula 1 introduces sweeping technical regulations and welcomes an 11th team to the grid. A major British sports outlet highlights the key changes for fans.
The new rules bring the largest overhaul in many years. Cars become smaller, lighter and more efficient. They lose 30kg, shrink by ten centimetres and run power units with an almost even split between electric and combustion power. They also switch to fully sustainable fuels.
No one knows how the racing will change. Experts note that chassis and engine rules have never shifted so heavily at the same time. Aerodynamics also change. The 1.6-litre V6 turbo hybrid layout stays, but the MGU-H disappears and the electric share rises to about 50 percent.
These updates force major aerodynamic redesigns. Ground-effect tunnels vanish. Movable front and rear wings appear and boost straight-line speed to increase energy harvesting under braking. Drivers express concern because these moves may heavily alter handling.
The combustion engine often works as a generator and may run at maximum revs in some corners. DRS disappears because the rear wing has a new purpose. A push-to-pass system replaces it and delivers limited boosts of electrical power.
Lewis Hamilton admits that he cannot predict the result. He says the cars feel very different. He warns that driving in rain could become extremely difficult but hopes the final product surprises everyone.
Brit Teenager Lindblad Steps Into Formula 1
Most drivers stay on the grid in 2026, but several changes stand out, including the arrival of a young British rookie.
Isack Hadjar moves from Racing Bulls to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull after taking his first podium in the Netherlands.
Arvid Lindblad, an 18-year-old Briton with Swedish and Indian heritage, takes Hadjar’s old seat. He ended his Formula 2 season in sixth place with Campos Racing and will race alongside Liam Lawson.
Cadillac Expands the Grid to 11 Teams
Next season introduces a new team as Cadillac, supported by General Motors, joins the championship.
Cadillac chooses experience for its debut and signs Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, who share 106 podiums.
Briton Graeme Lowdon becomes team principal after working with Virgin and Marussia.
The team uses Ferrari power units for three seasons. GM-built engines arrive in 2029.
Sauber Reborn as Audi
Audi joins the grid in a different way. The German brand takes control of the Swiss Sauber team, which finished ninth in 2025.
Audi designs its own engine for the new rules. Jonathan Wheatley becomes team boss and works with Mattia Binotto, who leads the full Audi F1 project.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto stay as the driver line-up for Audi’s first season.
Ford Partners with Red Bull as Renault Steps Back
Red Bull begins a new engine partnership with Ford. Ford co-funds Red Bull’s power-unit programme built for the 2026 rules.
This partnership ends Red Bull’s long relationship with Honda. Honda becomes the works supplier for Aston Martin, where Adrian Newey steps in as team principal after a major restructuring.
Renault ends its engine programme entirely. Alpine now pays for Mercedes engines starting next year.
Madrid Joins the Calendar and Imola Drops Out
The 2026 calendar stays at 24 races and starts in Australia in March before ending in Abu Dhabi in December. Spain hosts two races instead of one.
A new track in Madrid replaces Imola. The “Madring” combines public roads with private sections now under construction.
The race runs from 11–13 September and closes the uninterrupted European phase of the season.
Barcelona remains, now named the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, held from 12–14 June.
Canada moves to 22–24 May to sit close to Miami, which races from 1–3 May.
Monaco shifts to 5–7 June as a result.
Six sprint races return. Silverstone joins China, Miami, Canada, Zandvoort and Singapore on the sprint list, with Zandvoort hosting its final year on the calendar.
