MELBOURNE — Good news, F1 fans: it’s race week.
Formula 1 returns to our TV screens (or realistically, our Apple TV screens) as the 2026 season kicks off at the Australian Grand Prix on March 7th, 11pm Eastern Standard Time (EST). And this year isn’t just any other season opener.
The all-new 2026 regulations mark one of the most sweeping technical overhauls in modern Formula 1 history, with new engines, drivers, and even a new F1 team. Here’s what to expect.
A New Era of Cars and Engines
For the past twelve years, F1 teams have used a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid power unit, where 80% of total power came from the traditional engine and 20% from electric deployment.
Those days are gone – well, sort of. The 1.6L turbo V6’s stay, but now, only 50% of the car’s overall power comes from the combustion engine. So yes, that means that half of an F1 car’s power comes from battery deployment.
There are two new terms that will dominate broadcasts this season related to the new powertrains. The first is Boost, which allows drivers to maximize their energy deployment at any point of the lap. While energy deployment has existed for years, 2026 formalizes it into a clearer tactical tool.
F1 fans grew accustomed to F1’s Drag Reduction System (DRS), which worked as a form of active aero. The rear wing would open on designated straights as long as a driver was within a second of the car ahead of them. Fans can forget DRS now, at least sort of, as it has been replaced by Overtake for 2026 and beyond. Overtake is also a form of active aero, which can be activated as long as they are within a second of the car in front, just like DRS. But here is the key difference: Overtake can be deployed more strategically, either all at once or progressively over a lap.
New Teams and Drivers
For the first time in years, Formula 1 expands to 11 teams. Cadillac enters as the newest constructor, bringing the grid to 22 drivers. The American brand opted for experienced veterans, signing both Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, both proven race winners.
Another change comes from Kick Sauber, which, well, is no longer Kick Sauber. Audi has taken over the Sauber team, and has transitioned from Ferrari engines to a fully factory-built Audi engine, bringing a new engine manufacturer to Formula 1. Audi will retain its same drivers from last year: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto.
Red Bull is also changing its powertrain supplier, with Ford taking over engine-duties. The last powertrain change comes within the Aston Martin team, which is now using Honda engines (surely this won’t cause any issues, right?).
In terms of drivers, the only new driver this year is Arvid Lindblad, who replaces Isack Hadjar at Racing Bulls. Isack has been promoted to Red Bull Racing to partner Max Verstappen, which means Yuki Tsunoda will now be a reserve driver for 2026. Other than that, drivers have remained where they were from last season.
The 2026 Grid
- McLaren: Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
- Mercedes: George Russell, Kimi Antonelli
- Red Bull Racing: Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar
- Ferrari: Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
- Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad
- Haas: Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman
- Audi: Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto
- Williams: Carlos Sainz, Alexander Albon
- Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll
- Alpine: Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto
- Cadillac: Sergio Pérez, Valtteri Bottas
The Aston Martin Storyline
Aston Martin has been one of the biggest storylines for the 2026 F1 season. After design legend Adrian Newey left Red Bull to ultimately become the Team Principal at Aston Martin, many predicted that Aston Martin would be a top contender for the championship in 2026.
However, the road to the top may take longer than expected for Aston Martin. Pre-season testing revealed that the Honda power unit is behind in development and currently unreliable (flashbacks from Honda’s power units from McLaren in 2015-2017, anyone?). Day one of testing brought Fernando Alonso’s session to an early end. The same thing happened for day two of testing.
Reports currently suggest that Aston Martin may limit mileage in Australia to preserve components.
Uncertainty for the Championship
New regulations historically reset the pecking order. Sportsbooks predict that George Russell will be the world champion, and many have benchmarked Mercedes as the championship contenders. Of course, the usual contenders consisting of McLaren, Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari, are all expected to fight for wins. But until qualifying at Albert Park, nobody truly knows who got it right.
A New Beginning
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix isn’t just the start of another season. It’s the start of a new era with new teams, driver lineups, and regulations. Lights out is set for March 7th at 11pm Eastern.
And for the first time in years, nobody knows what to expect when the lights go out.
