{"id":388724,"date":"2026-01-03T09:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T09:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/388724\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T09:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T09:49:08","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/388724\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about the 2026 season"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>F1 2026 is a season of huge change, so here is everything you need to know as Formula 1 moves into a new era.<\/p>\n<p>Sweeping regulation changes are combined with relative driver continuity from season to season, but the changes begin even in pre-season testing.<\/p>\n<p>When is F1 2026 pre-season testing?<\/p>\n<p>With all-new cars to contend with, pre-season testing has been expanded from its usual three days to 11 days ahead of the F1 2026 season.<\/p>\n<p>A five-day behind closed doors shakedown in Barcelona will kick off the teams\u2019 testing schedule, before two three-day tests in Bahrain.<\/p>\n<p>Shakedown: 26-30 January, Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya<br \/>Test one: 11-13 February, Bahrain International Circuit<br \/>Test two: 18-20 February, Bahrain International Circuit<\/p>\n<p>When does the F1 2026 season start?<\/p>\n<p>Racing gets underway in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8 at Albert Park.<\/p>\n<p>Australia hosts the opening round as part of an Asian-swing to start the year before heading to the Middle East, United States, and finally Europe.<\/p>\n<p>F1 2026 calendar: Where are the races being held and when?<\/p>\n<p>*Denotes F1 Sprint event<\/p>\n<p>March 6-8: Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne<br \/>March 13-15: Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai*<br \/>March 27-29: Japanese Grand Prix, Suzuka<br \/>April 10-12: Bahrain Grand Prix, Sakhir<br \/>April 17-19: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah<br \/>May 1-3: Miami Grand Prix, Miami*<br \/>May 22-24: Canadian Grand Prix, Montreal*<br \/>June 5-7: Monaco Grand Prix, Monte Carlo<br \/>June 12-14: Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Barcelona<br \/>June 26-28: Austrian Grand Prix, Spielberg<br \/>July 3-5: British Grand Prix, Silverstone*<br \/>July 17-19: Belgian Grand Prix, Spa-Francorchamps<br \/>July 24-26: Hungarian Grand Prix, Budapest<br \/>August 21-23: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort*<br \/>September 4-6: Italian Grand Prix, Monza<br \/>September 11-13: Spanish Grand Prix, Madrid<br \/>September 25-27: Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Baku<br \/>October 9-11: Singapore Grand Prix, Marina Bay*<br \/>October 23-25: United States Grand Prix, Austin<br \/>October 30 \u2013 November 1: Mexico City Grand Prix, Mexico City<br \/>November 6-8: Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Interlagos<br \/>November 19-21: Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas<br \/>November 27-29: Qatar Grand Prix, Lusail<br \/>December 4-6: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina<\/p>\n<p>Where are the F1 2026 Sprint races being held?<\/p>\n<p>As has been the case for the past few years, there will be six F1 Sprint events, as follows:<\/p>\n<p>March 14\u00a0Chinese Grand Prix \u2013 Shanghai<br \/>May 2 Miami Grand Prix \u2013 Miami<br \/>May 23 Canadian Grand Prix\u00a0\u2013 Montreal<br \/>July 4\u00a0British Grand Prix\u00a0\u2013 Silverstone<br \/>August 22 Dutch Grand Prix \u2013 Zandvoort<br \/>October 10\u00a0Singapore Grand Prix \u2013 Marina Bay<\/p>\n<p>What driver changes were made ahead of the F1 2026 season?<\/p>\n<p>After five rookies took to the grid in 2025, just the one will be doing so in 2026, with British teenager Arvid Lindblad stepping onto the grid with Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n<p>Yuki Tsunoda will drop into a test and reserve role with Red Bull, as Isack Hadjar partners Max Verstappen after an impressive rookie season in Formula 1.<\/p>\n<p>With Cadillac arriving on the grid as the sport\u2019s 11th team, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez will both return to Formula 1 after a year on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p>Who are the F1 drivers on the 2026 grid?<\/p>\n<p>Alpine \u2013 Pierre Gasly and Jack Doohan<br \/>Aston Martin \u2013 Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll<br \/>Audi F1\u00a0\u2013 Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto<br \/>Cadillac\u00a0\u2013 Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez<br \/>Ferrari \u2013 Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton<br \/>Haas \u2013 Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon<br \/>McLaren \u2013 Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris<br \/>Mercedes \u2013 George Russell and Kimi Antonelli<br \/>Racing Bulls \u2013 Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad<br \/>Red Bull \u2013 Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson<br \/>Williams \u2013 Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz<\/p>\n<p>More about the class of the F1 2026 season<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetf1.com\/news\/f1-driver-ages\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">F1 drivers by age: From the oldest to the youngest<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetf1.com\/news\/f1-2026-terminology-revealed-fia\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">MOM is out and Boost Mode in as key F1 2026 terms defined<\/a><\/p>\n<p>What is each F1 driver\u2019s race number in 2026?<\/p>\n<p>Rookie numbers in italics.<\/p>\n<p>1 \u2013 Lando Norris<br \/>3 \u2013 Max Verstappen<br \/>5 \u2013 Gabriel Bortoleto<br \/>6 \u2013 Isack Hadjar<br \/>10 \u2013 Pierre Gasly<br \/>11\u00a0\u2013 Sergio Perez<br \/>12 \u2013 Kimi Antonelli<br \/>14 \u2013 Fernando Alonso<br \/>16 \u2013 Charles Leclerc<br \/>18 \u2013 Lance Stroll<br \/>23 \u2013 Alex Albon<br \/>27\u2013 Nico Hulkenberg<br \/>30 \u2013 Liam Lawson<br \/>31 \u2013 Esteban Ocon<br \/>41 \u2013 Arvid Lindblad<br \/>43\u00a0\u2013 Franco Colapinto<br \/>44 \u2013 Lewis Hamilton<br \/>55 \u2013 Carlos Sainz<br \/>63 \u2013 George Russell<br \/>77\u00a0\u2013 Valtteri Bottas<br \/>81 \u2013 Oscar Piastri<br \/>87 \u2013 Oliver Bearman<\/p>\n<p>Which teams are on the grid for F1 2026?<\/p>\n<p>In 2025 Championship order and how they will appear in the pit lane:<\/p>\n<p>McLaren<br \/>Mercedes<br \/>Red Bull<br \/>Ferrari<br \/>Williams<br \/>Racing Bulls<br \/>Aston Martin<br \/>Haas<br \/>Audi F1 [formerly Sauber]<br \/>Alpine<br \/>Cadillac [new]<\/p>\n<p>What are the names of each F1 2026 car?<\/p>\n<p>We know the names of some F1 2026 cars at time of writing, but here are ones we know of at this moment and what we\u2019re still waiting to know:<\/p>\n<p>McLaren \u2013 MCL40 [expected]<br \/>Ferrari \u2013 Unknown<br \/>Red Bull \u2013 RB22<br \/>Mercedes \u2013 F1 W17 [expected]<br \/>Aston Martin \u2013 AMR26<br \/>Alpine \u2013 A526<br \/>Haas \u2013\u00a0VF-26<br \/>Racing Bulls \u2013\u00a0VCARB 03<br \/>Williams \u2013 FW48<br \/>Audi \u2013 Unknown<br \/>Cadillac \u2013 Unknown<\/p>\n<p>What are the key rule changes for the F1 2026 season?<\/p>\n<p>Where to even begin?<\/p>\n<p>Both the chassis and power unit regulations in Formula 1 have changed at the same time, meaning completely new cars from front to back in Formula 1.<\/p>\n<p>The minimum weight of the cars has been lowered, tyres will be slimmer and the cars will be slightly shorter and thinner, in order to try and create a \u2018light, nimble\u2019 racing experience compared to before.<\/p>\n<p>Ground effect aerodynamics have been replaced, as teams focus on drag reduction through active aero \u2013 meaning movable front and rear wing elements \u2013 which also brings to an end the 15-season stay of DRS in the sport.<\/p>\n<p>More powerful electric motors (around treble the previous output) partner a 1.6-litre V6 combustion engine in the cars, producing similar levels of power to the previous cars, though generated in a different way \u2013 and run on fully sustainable fuels.<\/p>\n<p>The fuel capacity limit is dropping from around 105kg to about 70kg, meaning the drivers will have to rely on their increased electrical power and battery deployment to help maximise lap times.<\/p>\n<p>Cars are predicted to have higher top speeds than the previous generation of car, but an overall 30 per cent reduction in downforce has been predicted ahead of the new season, meaning we may see slower lap times than before as a result of lower cornering speeds.<\/p>\n<p>The engine development freeze has also been lifted, meaning every power unit manufacturer will be able to develop its products and potentially leading to a PU \u2018development war\u2019 in the years to come. However, a cost cap is in place to keep somewhat of a lid on things.<\/p>\n<p>Heading into some smaller rule changes, the drivers have been allowed to modify their permanent driver number in Formula 1, which Max Verstappen opted to do. He has switched from number 33 when a non-title holder, to number 3, as he said it was always his preference.<\/p>\n<p>When a \u2018heat hazard\u2019 is declared for a race weekend, drivers will also be mandated to wear cooling vests to help their temperature while inside the cockpit.<\/p>\n<p>Off track, the stewards will be able to initiate a new review themselves on any incident when based on new evidence, while the fee for appealing a verdict for the teams has reportedly been increased significantly heading into 2026.<\/p>\n<p>Read next: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.planetf1.com\/news\/f1-schedule-next-race-calendar\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">F1 schedule: When is the next F1 race and where is it being held?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"F1 2026 is a season of huge change, so here is everything you need to know as Formula&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":388725,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[821,2495,64,29923,63,3550,817,14670,826,813,816,5328,818,913,945,44,9107,918,85,819],"class_list":["post-388724","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-alpine","tag-aston-martin","tag-au","tag-audi-f1","tag-australia","tag-cadillac","tag-f1","tag-facts-stats","tag-ferrari","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-haas","tag-home-page","tag-mclaren","tag-mercedes","tag-news","tag-racing-bulls","tag-red-bull","tag-sports","tag-williams"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388724","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=388724"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/388724\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/388725"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=388724"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=388724"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=388724"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}