F1 2026 Season

pauldyson1uk

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Wythenshawe watching Crappy Fims
The start of the season will soon be with us, pre season testing starts soon.
Quite excited dfor this season with all the changes and new cars.


F1 2026 pre-season testing​

  • Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - January 26-30
  • Bahrain International Circuit - February 11-13
  • Bahrain International Circuit - February 18-20


Formula 1 2026 Calendar​



AustraliaMarch 6-8HungaryJuly 24-26
ChinaMarch 13-15*NetherlandsAugust 21-23*
JapanMarch 27-29ItalySeptember 4-6
BahrainApril 10-12MadridSeptember 11-13
Saudi ArabiaApril 17-19AzerbaijanSeptember 24-26
MiamiMay 1-3*SingaporeOctober 9-11*
CanadaMay 22-24*USAOctober 23-25
MonacoJune 5-7MexicoOct 30-Nov 1
BarcelonaJune 12-14BrazilNovember 6-8
AustriaJune 26-28Las VegasNovember 19-21
Great BritainJuly 3-5*QatarNovember 27-29
BelgiumJuly 17-19Abu DhabiDecember 4-6

F1 2026 Sprint Venues​

  • Chinese Grand Prix - March 13-15
  • Miami Grand Prix - May 1-3
  • Canadian Grand Prix - May 22-24
  • British Grand Prix - July 3-5
  • Dutch Grand Prix - August 21-23
  • Singapore Grand Prix - October 9-11
 

The 2026 F1 driver line-ups​

McLaren: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri

Mercedes: George Russell and Kimi Antonell

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


F1 2026 teams and engines​


TeamEngine
McLarenMercedes
MercedesMercedes
Red BullRed Bull-Ford
FerrariFerrari
WilliamsMercedes
HaasFerrari
Aston MartinHonda
Racing BullsRed Bull-Ford
AlpineMercedes
AudiAudi
CadillacFerrari
 
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New F1 regulations in 2026​

The big change in 2026 will be a complete overhaul of the technical regulations that will see major changes to the power unit, chassis and aerodynamic rules. The cars will be very different to say the least.

New car design rules in F1 almost certainly causes a shake-up to the pecking order. Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle has described the new regulations as the "biggest changes ever" in the sport.

The teams have long been working on their 2026 cars because the regulations are scheduled to be in place for five seasons. Being quick from next year will set you up to be competitive for the years to come. Mercedes' dominance in 2014, for example, lasted until 2016 before they were finally caught by Ferrari and Red Bull.

There will be no more DRS, instead we will "Overtake Mode" where the drivers can use more power on designated straights if they are within one second of another car. We will also see "Active Aero" which means the front and rear wings will be moving before and after corners.

It's expected the cars will be able to follow each other more closely, so there will be more overtaking opportunities.
 
Ahmer Baig said:
What are your guys 2026 predictions?
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Hard to predict until we see how the new cars run.
Rumors are Mercedes have a jump with their engine along with Red Bull.
Also reading that Ferrari are taking the steel route in their engine build and not Aluminium.

https://lastwordonsports.com/motors...rari-take-risks-with-bold-2026-engine-design/

One of the interesting stories about 2026 is Aston Martin and their fuel.

The Saudi oil company is more than a mere title partner for the outfit owned by Lawrence Stroll.
Since 2022 they've been the sole fuel provider for the feeder series, F3 and F2, with both junior series making the switch to 100% sustainable fuel composed by at least 70% sustainable components since 2025, which was again developed and provided by the Saudies.
The impact the new fuel will have on performance is made evident by Shell - Ferrari's fuel supplier - and their admission that their 2026 fuel project started four years ago, in 2022.
According to said reports Aramco's fuel would see Aston Martin mitigate the alleged 0.4 seconds advantage both Mercedes and Red Bull would have found in their rumoured engine compression solution.
With Honda, a recent top performing manufacturer in F1 alongside Mercedes, engine guru Andy Cowell and Adrian Newey's technical expertise and leadership, Aston Martin's F1 2026 project could take the series by storm.
 
Ahmer Baig said:
What are your guys 2026 predictions?
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My main prediction is that having two more cars will be a win for the viewing and it'll hopefully open up everyone's mind to get back to at least 24 cars.

Concerning the teams I have no clue and don't really believe those that claim they do.
 
It's such a radical change that its really impossible to predict, cream usually rises to the top but I think it's likely to be a mixed up season with development steps genuinely being big again.
 
dinostar77 said:
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I'm sure we ll see a mule of sorts but at least it ll be cool to see a new car gen on track. Part of me would love to see a nasty German Audi v Merc battle play out. Especially since German brands have been taking big hits in the consumer market - they can use the positive press.
 

How will F1 Qualifying work in 2026?​

The qualifying session is split into three finite windows, which provide a dramatic prelude to Sunday's race.

From 2026, the drivers with the six slowest times in the 18-minute Q1 session will be eliminated, before a seven-minute break between sessions will ensue.

Then, a 15-minute Q2 session will see six more drivers eliminated from qualifying, ultimately leaving the 10 drivers who will battle it out for pole position over a 12-minute Q3.

Qualifying determines the complete starting grid for Sunday's main grand prix, and normally takes almost exactly an hour to complete barring any delays.

These new 2026 rules will not affect the length of any of the sessions, just how many drivers are being eliminated due to the addition of Cadillac as a new team for 2026.
 
dinostar77 said:
I don't see how you can "ban" a engine even mid season. Mercedes supply four teams including their works team.
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Unless Merc I guess designed an engine that doesn't use the trick perhaps but either way it ll be costly to adjust im sure.

Either way the politicking here will likely be nasty, especially with teams like AM, Cadillac and Audi unlikely to be wanting to entertain their new adventures on the back foot and play second fiddle to Merc teams an entire season long.
 
Does anyone think this watch looks like it could be associated with Williams F1 (it's not, but it gives off that vibe)

 
dinostar77 said:
Does anyone think this watch looks like it could be associated with Williams F1 (it's not, but it gives off that vibe)

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Looks to be a homage to the Tag Heuer Monaco Gulf - which is a very iconic watch. Obviously Gulf and racing along with Williams and McLaren especially have ties so it makes sense then you would make that link.
 
dinostar77 said:
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Good read, It would seem that the rumours about Mercedes being way ahead of the rest could be correct.
I suspect the FIA don't want Mercedes doing what they did after the last big change and running away with the championship, but a possible mid season change, would be a disaster.
Mercedes have exploited a loop hole, not broken any rules, are FIA wanting to see the engine run in a race before they decide what to do ?
Surprised that Red Bull have not joined in.

Several rival Formula 1 teams, specifically Ferrari, Honda, and Audi, are demanding that the FIA ban or alter the Mercedes 2026 engine design, claiming it exploits a loophole in the new technical regulations.

The Core of the Dispute
The controversy centers on the new 2026 regulations, which cap engine compression ratios at 16:1 to limit power and aid new entrants. Mercedes (and reportedly Red Bull) has designed an engine that is compliant with the regulations when measured at ambient temperature, which is the current testing standard.
However, the design allegedly uses thermal expansion of components to achieve a significantly higher, non-compliant compression ratio (closer to 18:1) once the engine reaches operating temperature during a race, providing an unfair performance advantage and better fuel consumption.


The Teams Involved
The paddock is split on the issue:
  • Advocating for a ban/change: Ferrari, Honda (powering Aston Martin), and Audi. These teams have sent a formal letter to the FIA arguing that the design breaches the "spirit" of the new rules.
  • Supporting Mercedes: Mercedes and its customer teams – McLaren, Williams, and Alpine – insist their engine is legal and was initially approved by the FIA.


Current Status and Next Steps
The FIA initially approved Mercedes' design but is now under pressure to reconsider. A crucial meeting with all engine manufacturers was scheduled for January 22, 2026, to discuss the issue.
The FIA faces a dilemma: ban the engine and force four teams to redesign their power units weeks before pre-season testing, or allow the design and risk protests and an unlevel playing field. A potential compromise being considered is allowing the engine temporarily, provided it is brought into full compliance by the 2027 season.
 
To my mind it depends on the specific rule wording.

If it simply that the compression ratio is limited to 16:1, then I think that’s pretty clear that the intention of that rule was to be at operating window. Though if the FIA already approved it I don’t see how you can roll back from that approval a month and a half before the season starts.

If it says that it is limited 16:1 at ambient room temperature, then I don’t think there can be any arguments of the compliance of the engine.

I’d consider the latter a clever interpretation of the rules. I’d consider the former non-compliant.
 
Counterfactual said:
If they're only arguing from a point of "spirit" rather than a technical breach, good luck with that. Since when does any F1 team care about the "spirit" of the rules?
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Well it's not like the FIA is known for consistency of decision making in recent years, likely worth a whine if the compression ratio is as big a potential advantage as you would think.

It does sound like the Mercedes and Red Bull engines might be less durable than the others on the face of it. Tighter restrictions on the number of engines that can be used might be an interesting compromise in theory.
 
It's all abit theoretical at the moment. We don't know who has the best electrical deployment and recovery system. We don't know who has the best fuel. We don't know who has the best aerodynamic car, we don't know who has the car with best mechanical grip.

We don't know if Ferrari with their steel pistons and not aluminium ones, is the right decision or not.

Until they hit the track at first GP in Q3 or even the following GP we won't know for sure.

The "advantage" may not be anything of the sort. Or it may give us fans a competitive season between a few teams. Which is better than one team being off in the distance by itself.
 
Cadillac reveal livery for Barcelona test


https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/...rcelona-shakedown-week.2Vwr3amcEHmeSMh9Hvjrj5

16x9%20single%20image%20(16).webp


cadillac-s-one-off-shakedown-f.webp
 
I've heard this compression story from a lot of different outlets now... am I the only one doubting there's anything of significance to it? I just can't picture them building conrods or pistons that expand perfectly along the entire temperature range within the cylinder and then going at ~20000 rpm. I am sure each manufacturer is trying different things to gain an advantage but the way everyone is talking of this as if they've had all the engines on the dyno leaves me scratching my head.
 
Abizzz said:
I've heard this compression story from a lot of different outlets now... am I the only one doubting there's anything of significance to it? I just can't picture them building conrods or pistons that expand perfectly along the entire temperature range within the cylinder and then going at ~20000 rpm. I am sure each manufacturer is trying different things to gain an advantage but the way everyone is talking of this as if they've had all the engines on the dyno leaves me scratching my head.
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There's definitely something to it has there has been official complaints from engine manufacturers and a FIA ruling that Mercedes can use the engines for rest of 2026 as they are.

Audi et Al are pushing back, as would be expected.

It may not be much of a advantage, or it may put mercedes / mclaren on a even keel with say AM who's fuel and honda energy recovery systems are allegedly very impressive.

Too many unknowns at moment.
 
F1 , the forefront of innovation but only if everyone discovers the same trick simultaneously.
 
dinostar77 said:
There's definitely something to it has there has been official complaints from engine manufacturers and a FIA ruling that Mercedes can use the engines for rest of 2026 as they are.

Audi et Al are pushing back, as would be expected.

It may not be much of a advantage, or it may put mercedes / mclaren on a even keel with say AM who's fuel and honda energy recovery systems are allegedly very impressive.

Too many unknowns at moment.
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Ferrari: am I invisible to you??
Who knows though - sometimes the teams with less noise pre or even during testing end up doing better or best. As you said - too many unknowns and even with the PU taking a front seat again under these regs, there are plenty of other variables. Still - if there is this much noise about the same thing over and over and nothing new - there must be some ounce of truth to it. The ones I expect least of are Red Bull and Ferrari for different but obvious reasons :lol:
 
Redplane said:
Ferrari: am I invisible to you??
Who knows though - sometimes the teams with less noise pre or even during testing end up doing better or best. As you said - too many unknowns and even with the PU taking a front seat again under these regs, there are plenty of other variables. Still - if there is this much noise about the same thing over and over and nothing new - there must be some ounce of truth to it. The ones I expect least of are Red Bull and Ferrari for different but obvious reasons :lol:
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Yeah, the rumours can only only cover what we know about, and aero innovations* especially will be virtually unknown until Q3 for the first race

* We haven't seen what Newey has come up with yet
 
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