The 2026 Formula 1 season will look a little different from previous years, with a new circuit, a new team, and a host of regulation changes. 2026 sees Madrid host a Grand Prix for the first time as a classic venue is dropped from the roster, while US carmaker Cadillac steps into the fray.
On the technical side, the season introduces significant regulation changes that former F1 driver Martin Brundle has labelled the “biggest changes ever”.
The 2026 Calendar: Madrid in, Imola Out
Save the date 🔒
Presenting the 2026 Calendar 🗓️
24 races across the world to crown our champion 🏆#F1 #Formula1 pic.twitter.com/4xe7e8MPM6
— Formula 1 (@F1) June 10, 2025
The 2026 F1 season will consist of 24 races. However, the makeup and running order are a little different from 2025. The headline-grabbing change is the addition of Madrid, which will stage a Grand Prix around its track-street hybrid circuit for the first time in September. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy drops off the schedule to make way for the second Spanish race on the calendar.
With Ramadan falling in February and March in 2026, the traditional season opener in Bahrain has been pushed back to April. Australia will open the season on the weekend of 6th to 8th March, with the finale taking place in Abu Dhabi over the weekend of 4th to 6th December.
While the F1 season again traverses five of the seven continents, there have been tweaks to aid efficiency. The Canadian Grand Prix moves to 22nd to 24th May and now directly follows the Miami Grand Prix. This move will bring significant transport benefits as some equipment can move directly from Miami to Canada.
In moving to late May, Canada effectively swaps places with Monaco. Now taking place from 5th to 7th June, the Monaco Grand Prix kicks off an unbroken sequence of nine Grand Prix held in Europe, before the continent-hopping begins again in Azerbaijan on 25th to 27th September.
2026 F1 Calendar
- Australia – 6th to 8th March
- China – 13th to 15th March
- Japan – 27th to 29th March
- Bahrain – 10th to 12th April
- Saudi Arabia – 17th to 19th April
- Miami – 1st to 3rd May
- Canada – 22nd to 24th May
- Monaco – 5th to 7th June
- Spain (Barcelona) – 12th to 14th June
- Austria – 26th to 28th June
- Great Britain – 3rd to 5th July
- Belgium – 17th to 19th July
- Hungary – 24th to 26th July
- Netherlands – 21st to 23rd August
- Italy – 4th to 6th September
- Spain (Madrid) – 11th to 13th September
- Azerbaijan – 25th to 27th September
- Singapore – 9th to 11th October
- United States (Austin) – 23rd to 25th October
- Mexico – 30th October to 1st November
- Brazil – 6th to 8th November
- Las Vegas – 19th to 21st November
- Qatar – 27th to 29th November
- Abu Dhabi – 4th to 6th December
Sprint Events
Just as in 2025, the season will feature six sprint events at the following Grand Prix:
- China – 13th to 15th March
- Miami – 1st to 3rd May
- Canada – 22nd to 24th May
- Great Britain – 3rd to 5th July
- Netherlands – 21st to 23rd August
- Singapore – 9th to 11th October
Cadillac Takes Its Place on the Grid
The big news ahead of the 2026 season is the addition of Cadillac, which becomes F1’s 11th team. The US constructors are the first new team to enter the competition since Haas in 2016. Cadillac will use Ferrari power units for 2026 at least, and has handed second chances to veteran drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas.
Red Bull has opted to tweak their line-up. Max Verstappen remains as number one but is joined by Isack Hadjar, who moves from Racing Bulls. Arvid Lindblad steps up from F2 to take Hadjar’s place at Racing Bulls. Elsewhere, the teams look just as they did in 2025.
2026 also sees Audi enter as a works team, with Revolut Audi F1 Team taking over the Sauber operation. Ford also returns to F1 through a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains and will support both Red Bulls and Racing Bulls.
2026 F1 Season: Constructors and Drivers
- McLaren – Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
- Mercedes – George Russell and Kimi Antonelli
- Red Bull – Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar
- Ferrari – Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
- Williams – Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon
- Racing Bulls – Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad
- Aston Martin – Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
- Haas – Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
- Audi – Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
- Alpine – Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto
- Cadillac – Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas
A New Breed of F1 Car
With concerns rising about the increasing silhouette of F1 cars, the FIA has stepped in with a set of regulations aimed at creating a machine that is smaller, nimbler, and more suitable for efficient cornering and overtaking.
Weight & Tyre Width
Ahead of 2026, the minimum weight and tyre width have been lowered, as have the max wheelbase and max width. The new rules create the possibility of a car that is 30kg lighter, 20cm shorter, and 10cm narrower.
Safety Features
Despite the smaller size, safety features have been enhanced. Roll hoop loads increase from 16G to 20G, a new snap-resistant two-stage nose design has been implemented, and new safety lights will signal the Energy Recovery System status of a stopped car.
Power Unit & Fuel
The most significant change in the engine comes in the Power Unit, with the new regulations showing a strong push towards electrification. Power from the combustion engine drops from 550kW to 400kW, while the electrical power almost trebles from 120kW to 350kW. As part of F1’s “Net Zero by 2030” mission, all fuel used in the combustion engine must be 100% sustainable, i.e. sourced from non-food materials, municipal waste, or atmospheric carbon capture.
Drag Reduction System
One of the more controversial changes is the removal of the Drag Reduction System (DRS). In 2026, DRS will be replaced by two new power boost modes. Z-mode opens sections of the front and rear wings to amplify downforce and speed through corners. X-mode increases straight-line speed by reducing drag.
Unlike DRS, X-mode is not primarily aimed at overtaking; drivers are expected to use this on most straight sections to maximise speed. Manual Override Mode is the new overtaking tool. When close to the car in front, this can be used to provide an electrical power boost and resultant increase in speed.
How Will Manufacturers Adapt?
How well the manufacturers adapt to the new changes will be pivotal in determining who emerges as the dominant force in 2026 and beyond. The most recent significant changes in 2022 resulted in a golden period for Red Bull. Clues as to how well each of the teams has adjusted will be found at the three pre-season tests at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (26th to 30th January) and Bahrain International Circuit (11th to 13th and 18th to 20th February).