F1 2026 Season Brings Major Changes
Formula 1's 2026 season debuts bold new regulations and an 11th team for the first time, starting with the Australian Grand Prix. The sport welcomes significant technical shifts that could reshape the competitive landscape, with team lineage and backstories now spanning 11 different racing organizations.
The new power units in 2026 will feature a nearly 50:50 split between internal combustion and electrical energy. The 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engine will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel, and the electric motor's output will be almost tripled to 350kW. The complex and expensive MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit - Heat) has been removed from the power unit design. Cars will feature active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings, replacing the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Drivers will be able to switch between a high-downforce "Corner Mode" and a low-drag "Straight Mode" on designated parts of the track to improve racing and overtaking opportunities. An "Overtake Mode" will provide a temporary power boost to a chasing car that is within one second of the car ahead. The 2026 cars are designed to be smaller and more nimble, with the wheelbase reduced by 20cm and the width by 10cm. The minimum weight of the cars will also be reduced by 30kg. These changes, along with a reduction in downforce, are intended to improve handling and allow for closer racing. For the first time since 2016, the grid will expand to 11 teams with the arrival of the Cadillac Formula 1 Team. The American team is a new venture from General Motors and will initially use Ferrari power units before developing their own for the 2029 season. The Cadillac team will be based in the United States with a European forward base in Silverstone, England. Experienced drivers Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas will race for the new squad. The team's inaugural chassis will be named the MAC-26, in honor of American racing legend and 1978 F1 World Champion, Mario Andretti.
