F1 2026:

Seven Reasons to Be Excited About This Season

A New Dawn for F1

Driving modes, smaller cars and a new engine, all with the aim of making the racing closer than ever before, what’s not to love?

Designing the new cars for F1 2026 has had teams on their toes since the start of 2025, but by the time they hit the track in Barcelona in January, it should mean we’re set for one of the most intriguing seasons in recent memory.

Cars will be lighter, narrower, and shorter. Drivers will have various modes at their disposal to get the maximum from their machines.

Overtake, Boost, and Recharge Mode will all help drivers to attack and defend at the appropriate moment, while Active Aero will allow them to change their front and rear wing angles at will depending on where they are on track.

Then there is the Power Unit, which is now much closer to a 50-50 Hybrid split of petrol and electric propulsion.

The car’s Energy Recovery System (ERS) will be able to recharge the battery with twice as much energy per lap, through things like recovery under braking or lifting off the throttle at the end of straights.

Year Two of Russonelli

For the second consecutive season, the team heads into a Formula 1 campaign with two junior programme graduates – George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Last season, the pair helped secure P2 in the Constructors’ Championship, taking home two wins (both with George), and 10 further podiums – including three for Kimi in his debut season.

George is now one of Formula 1’s leading drivers, and 2025 was his best season yet.

Kimi remains one of the best young talents on the grid and will only continue to improve after his debut season.

Off track, the pair formed a strong bond, engaging fan forums and digital audiences throughout the season – from table tennis and team-mates to table football and paddock tours!

Here’s to more celebrations and laughs this time around.

New Track in Madrid

For the first time in three seasons, there will be a new layout for drivers to learn in 2026, as well as a new home for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Madring in Madrid will become the 81^st circuit to host an F1 Grand Prix in September.

Built within the grounds of the IFEMA Exhibition Centre, the 5.4km, 22-turn layout will be the sixth to host a Spanish Grand Prix – after Jarama, Jerez, Montjuich, Pedralbes, and of course Barcelona.

Madrid will form the second leg of a double-header with Monza a week prior, meaning F1 will head from its most visited to its newest and least visited venue – the perfect blend of F1’s rich history and embracing the new..

In case you’re wondering, the Catalunya circuit in Barcelona – which first hosted F1 in 1991 – remains on the rota for 2026, as the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix in June.

New Teams

New regulations, new races, and some big new automotive names from Europe and North America to welcome onto the grid in 2026.

Cadillac joins F1 for its maiden campaign, meaning 22 cars will line-up for a Grand Prix for the first time since 2014 in Melbourne.

The American outfit can boast a wealth of F1 experience in their cars with 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas making the move from Brackley, and Sergio Perez re-joining the sport after a year away.

With 527 race starts to their name, there won’t be much that screams ‘debutant’ about Cadillac in 2026.

Audi also joins F1 for the first time in its history, with the German giants replacing Sauber from this year.

Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto remain behind the wheel for the team that re-locate from Hinwil in Switzerland to Bavaria in Germany.

GR 100

Sakhir 2020 feels like only yesterday, but Canada in 2026 will see George become the fourth driver to start 100 F1 Grands Prix for the three-pointed star, after Valtteri, Nico Rosberg, and Lewis Hamilton.

The Brit moved permanently to the team for the start of 2022 and has achieved five wins, seven poles, and 23 podiums in the 93 races since.

After celebrating his 150^th race since his debut in Australia in 2019 at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, this will be a chance to take a deep dive into a century of races with the Silver Arrows.

350 Not Out with PETRONAS

George’s 100^th race for Mercedes will not be the only milestone partnership the team will mark this year.

Circuits, drivers, and cars may have all gone through changes since we returned to the sport in 2010, but one constant has remained: PETRONAS.

Our Title and Technical Partner have been with us on our journey from day one, and in São Paulo in November we will celebrate 350 Grands Prix together.

Since coming onboard 16 years ago, the collaboration with PETRONAS has overseen seven Drivers’ World Championships and eight consecutive Constructors’ crowns, as well as 122 wins, 135 pole positions, and 293 podiums.

For 2026, PETRONAS has played a vital role in developing our sustainable fuel for the new regulations.

F1 ACADEMY Returns

Seven races across three continents and a maiden round at Silverstone, it promises to be another thrilling F1 ACADEMY season in 2026.

Season Four of the series will continue to showcase the best female driving talent on the planet, once again under the gaze of the F1 paddock.

Reigning champion Doriane has moved on from the series after clinching the crown at the final round in Las Vegas, and our latest entrant will be announced in the lead up to the opening race in Shanghai in March.

Excited for 2026? You should be. Lights out in Australia cannot come soon enough!