2026 Formula One World Championship Explained

The 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship is a planned motor racing championship for Formula One cars set to be the 77th running of the Formula One World Championship. It is recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the governing body of international motorsport, as the highest class of competition for open-wheel racing cars. The championship is set to be contested over several Grands Prix held around the world. Drivers and teams are scheduled to compete for the titles of World Drivers' Champion and World Constructors' Champion respectively.

The 2026 season will feature a major set of regulation changes with a revised power unit configuration and new active aerodynamics. Two new power unit manufacturers will enter the sport: Ford will return to the sport for the first time since, supporting Red Bull Powertrains in supplying Red Bull Racing and RB, while Audi, who acquired Sauber in, will enter as a works team.

Entries

The following constructors and drivers are under contract to compete in the 2026 World Championship. All teams are due to compete with tyres supplied by Pirelli.[1] Each team is required to enter at least two drivers, one for each of the two mandatory cars.

Entrant!scope="col" rowspan="2"
ConstructorPower unitRace drivers
No.Driver name
BWT Alpine F1 Team[2] Alpine-Renault[3] 10Pierre Gasly[4]
TBA TBA
Aston Martin Aramco Honda[5] Aston Martin Aramco-HondaHonda[6] 14Fernando Alonso[7]
18Lance Stroll[8]
Audi F1 Team[9] [10] AudiAudi27[11]
TBA TBA
Scuderia Ferrari HP[12] FerrariFerrari16Charles Leclerc[13]
44Lewis Hamilton[14]
MoneyGram Haas F1 Team[15] Haas-FerrariFerrari[16] [17] 31Esteban Ocon[18]
87Oliver Bearman[19]
McLaren Formula 1 TeamMcLaren-MercedesMercedes[20] 4Lando Norris[21]
81Oscar Piastri[22]
[23] MercedesMercedes TBA TBA
TBA TBA
Visa Cash App RB F1 Team[24] RB-Red Bull FordRed Bull Ford[25] TBA TBA
TBA TBA
Oracle Red Bull Racing[26] -- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator -->11Sergio Pérez[27]
33
Williams RacingWilliams-MercedesMercedes[28] 23
55 Carlos Sainz Jr.[29]
Source:[30]

Team changes

Two new engine manufacturers will enter Formula One, coinciding with the engine regulation changes. Audi will enter the sport for the first time, having purchased the existing Sauber team in . The team will race in the 2024 and seasons as Kick Sauber, using Ferrari engines, before becoming the Audi factory team for 2026. As a result, Haas will become the only Ferrari customer team.[31] [32]

Ford will return to Formula One as an engine supplier for the first time since it provided engines for Jaguar, Jordan and Minardi, the last as Cosworth, in . It will form a partnership with Red Bull Powertrains, which will supply Red Bull Racing and their second team RB. Honda, which partially withdrew from Formula One in whilst remaining in the sport as partners to Red Bull Powertrains, will split from the two Red Bull-owned teams and relaunch a fully-fledged engine program starting with Aston Martin under the Honda Racing Corporation banner. Aston Martin had used Mercedes power units since Aston Martin rejoined the sport, with Mercedes having supplied engines to Aston Martin's predecessors since . Honda had previously collaborated with Aston Martin's predecessor Jordan from to .[33] [34]

List of planned Grands Prix

The following seventeen Grands Prix are contracted to be held in 2026:

Grand PrixCircuit
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi[35]
Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Circuit, Melbourne[36]
Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring, Spielberg[37]
Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit, Baku[38]
Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir[39]
British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone[40]
Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal[41]
Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring, Mogyoród[42]
Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course, Suzuka[43]
Miami Grand Prix[44]
Qatar Grand Prix Lusail International Circuit, Lusail[45]
São Paulo Grand Prix Interlagos Circuit, São Paulo[46]
Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah[47]
Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit, Singapore[48]
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Montmeló[49]
Spanish Grand Prix IFEMA Exhibition Centre, Madrid[50] [51]
United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas[52]

The following eight Grands Prix are contracted for 2025, but do not have a contract for 2026:

Grand PrixCircuit
Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot[53]
Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit, Shanghai[54]
Dutch Grand Prix Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort[55]
Imola Circuit, Imola[56]
Italian Grand Prix Monza Circuit, Monza[57]
Las Vegas Grand Prix Las Vegas Strip Circuit, Paradise, Nevada[58]
Mexico City Grand Prix[59]
Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco, Monaco[60]

Calendar changes

The Spanish Grand Prix will move from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Montmeló to a new street circuit in Madrid built around the IFEMA Exhibition Centre,[50] with the former track's future being unknown due to its own coinciding contract for 2026.[51]

Regulation changes

Power units

New power unit regulations are due to be introduced for the 2026 season. The new power units will still produce over 1000bhp, although the power will come from different sources. The engine regulations will see the turbocharged 1.6 V6 internal combustion engine configuration used since retained. However, the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat), which has also been in use since 2014, will be banned, while the MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic) output will increase to 350abbr=onNaNabbr=on from 120abbr=onNaNabbr=on. The power output of the internal combustion part of the power unit will decrease to 400abbr=onNaNabbr=on from 850bhp. In addition, fuel flow rates will be measured and limited based on energy, rather than mass of the fuel itself. The power units will use a fully sustainable fuel being developed by Formula One.[61] [62] The power units are expected to recover twice as much electrical energy as before.

Car size and aerodynamics

On 6 June 2024, the 2026 car concept was revealed. The concept featured new active aerodynamics in both the front and rear wings. The concept saw the elimination of the drag reduction system, being replaced by a new manual override engine mode.[63] The wheelbase was reduced from 360cm (140inches) to 340cm (130inches), the width was reduced from 200cm (100inches) to 190cm (80inches), and the minimum mass was reduced by 30kg (70lb). The tyres' widths will also be reduced by 2.5cm (01inches) on the front pair and by 3cm (01inches) on the rears.[64] [65] The floor will have reduced ground effect to ease the issues cars have suffered with porpoising.[66]

Notes and References

  1. News: Pirelli to continue as Formula 1's exclusive tyre supplier until 2027 . 30 April 2024 . Formula1.com . 10 October 2023 . en.
  2. Web site: BWT and Alpine F1 team combine forces in strategic partnership aimed at sustainability drive. BWT.com. 11 February 2022. 24 April 2024.
  3. News: What engine every F1 team is using for 2026 rules . 8 February 2024 . The Race . 8 January 2024 . en.
  4. Web site: Gasly commits future to Alpine after agreeing multi-year extension . 27 June 2024. Formula 1.com. en.
  5. Web site: Honda to make full-scale F1 return in 2026 as they join forces with Aston Martin Formula 1® . 2024-07-05 . Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website . en.
  6. News: Aston Martin confirm Honda as F1 engine partner from 2026 as Japanese manufacturer makes official return to sport . 8 February 2024 . Sky Sports . 24 May 2023 . en.
  7. Web site: Alonso signs new F1 deal with Aston Martin . 11 April 2024 . www.formula1.com . en.
  8. Web site: Aston Martin confirm Stroll to remain as Alonso’s team mate after contract extension. 27 June 2024. Formula 1.com. en.
  9. News: Audi expands commitment to Formula 1 with 100% takeover of Sauber Formula 1® . 7 May 2024 . Formula1.com . 8 March 2024 . en.
  10. News: van Denderen . Ludo . Bad news for Swiss F1 fans: Audi opts for German national anthem . 14 May 2024 . GPblog.com . 2 April 2024 . en.
  11. Web site: 26 April 2024. 26 April 2024. F1: Kick Sauber sign Nico Hulkenberg for 2025 ahead of Audi transformation. formula1.com.
  12. Web site: Ferrari and HP Announce a Title Partnership . press.hp.com . 24 April 2024.
  13. Web site: 25 January 2024. 25 January 2024. F1: Ferrari anuncia extensão de contrato de Leclerc. motorsport.uol.com.br.
  14. News: Coleman . Madeline . 2 February 2024 . Ferrari's prestige lured Lewis Hamilton – and cost Carlos Sainz his seat . 6 February 2024 . The Athletic . en.
  15. Web site: Haas sign new title sponsor for 2023 in multi-year deal. Formula1.com. 20 October 2022. 22 October 2022.
  16. Web site: Grandprix.com. Haas to stick with Ferrari amid engine crisis. 30 August 2020. grandprix.com. 30 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200830231958/http://www.grandprix.com//news/haas-to-stick-with-ferrari-amid-engine-crisis.html. live.
  17. News: McDonagh . Connor . Haas extend Ferrari technical partnership until the end of 2028 F1 season F1 Crash . 16 July 2024 . Crash.net . 16 July 2024 . en.
  18. Web site: Haas confirm signing of Ocon on multi-year contract . 2024-07-25 . Formula 1.com. en.
  19. Web site: F2 star Ollie Bearman promoted to F1 with Haas for 2025. Formula 1.com. 4 July 2024. 4 July 2024.
  20. Web site: McLaren's deal to use Mercedes F1 engines again from 2021 announced . 17 September 2022 . www.autosport.com . 28 September 2019 . en . 2 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210602215052/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/mclarens-deal-to-use-mercedes-f1-engines-again-from-2021-announced-4988153/4988153/ . live .
  21. Web site: 26 January 2024. 26 January 2024. F1: Norris assina extensão de contrato multianual com a McLaren. motorsport.uol.com.br.
  22. Web site: 25 January 2024. 20 September 2023. F1: Piastri prorroga contrato com a McLaren até 2026. motorsport.uol.com.br.
  23. News: Noble . Jonathan . Mercedes signs early Petronas deal extension ahead of new F1 2026 rules . 24 April 2024 . us.motorsport.com . 28 September 2022 . en.
  24. Web site: 25 January 2024. 24 January 2024. en. AlphaTauri's new name for 2024 is confirmed. www.formula1.com.
  25. Web site: Ford Returns To Formula 1; Strategic Partner To Oracle Red Bull Racing For 2026 Season And Beyond Ford Media Center . 2024-05-08 . media.ford.com . Red Bull Ford will provide the power units for both the Oracle Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri teams from 2026 to at least 2030..
  26. Web site: 25 January 2024. 10 February 2022. www.autoracing.com.br. Acordo Red Bull/Oracle é "o maior na história da F1". <
  27. Web site: Perez to continue as Red Bull driver after signing new two-year contract extension. Formula 1. 4 June 2024. 4 June 2024.
  28. News: Williams F1 team to use Mercedes engines until at least 2030 . 8 February 2024 . Reuters . 8 January 2024.
  29. Web site: 29 July 2024. 29 July 2024. Sainz signs for Williams as Spaniard's F1 future is confirmed. Formula 1.com.
  30. News: Valantine . Henry . F1 2026: Confirmed teams and power unit suppliers for huge regulation changes . 15 May 2024 . PlanetF1 . 10 May 2024 . en.
  31. Web site: Audi expands commitment to Formula 1 with 100% takeover of Sauber . 2024-05-07 . Formula1.com . en.
  32. News: 2024-04-26 . Nico's 'career renaissance' continues as Audi makes their first big move in F1 . 2024-05-07 . ABC News . en-AU.
  33. News: Aston Martin confirm Honda as F1 engine partner from 2026 as Japanese manufacturer makes official return to sport . 2024-05-07 . Sky Sports . en.
  34. News: Richards . Giles . 2023-05-24 . Honda to return to F1 in 2026 as engine manufacturer for Aston Martin . 2024-05-07 . The Guardian . en-GB . 0261-3077.
  35. News: 9 December 2021 . Formula 1 renews Abu Dhabi Grand Prix contract until 2030 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612142007/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-renews-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-contract-until-2030.4oNR96dTUunnErAiruurFd.html . 12 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . f1.com.
  36. Web site: Formula 1 to race in Melbourne until 2035 in new agreement . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220708171912/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-to-race-in-melbourne-until-2035-in-new-agreement.7EeElN0gG4wOKY1OJwHV94.html . 8 July 2022 . 2 February 2024 . Formula 1.
  37. News: 15 March 2023 . Formula 1 to race in Austria until 2027 under new four-year deal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612142007/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-formula-1-renews-deal-with-the-circuit-de-barcelona-catalunya-until.2kv0OwJ2uSikb4lhVC9Nh9.html . 12 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . f1.com.
  38. Web site: 29 April 2023 . Formula 1 to race in Azerbaijan through 2026 after new deal agreed . 2 February 2024 . formula1.com.
  39. Web site: 11 February 2022 . Bahrain Grand Prix to remain in F1 until 2036 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211114147/https://www.espn.co.uk/f1/story/_/id/33265777/bahrain-grand-prix-signs-new-deal-remain-f1-2036 . 11 February 2022 . 2 February 2024 . ESPN.com . en.
  40. Web site: 8 February 2024 . Silverstone confirmed as host of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix until 2034 . 8 February 2024 . Silverstone Circuit . en.
  41. News: 28 April 2021 . Canadian GP cancelled due to COVID-19, contract to hold race in Montreal extended . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513083455/https://www.coastreporter.net/national-sports/canadian-gp-cancelled-due-to-covid-19-contract-to-hold-race-in-montreal-extended-3672727 . 13 May 2021 . 2 February 2024 . CoastReporter.
  42. Web site: 22 July 2023 . Formula 1 to race in Hungary until 2032 . 2 February 2024 . Formula1.com.
  43. News: 9 December 2021 . Formula 1 renews Suzuka contract until 2029 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612142007/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-renews-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-contract-until-2030.4oNR96dTUunnErAiruurFd.html . 12 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . f1.com.
  44. Web site: 18 April 2021 . Miami Grand Prix to join F1 calendar in 2022, with exciting new circuit planned . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220123124353/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.miami-grand-prix-to-join-f1-calendar-in-2022.44Dqc0CfhQzb7bb7MIjkqX.html . 23 January 2022 . 2 February 2024 . Formula1.com . en.
  45. Web site: 30 September 2021 . F1 to hold first Qatar Grand Prix at Losail this November . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210930114809/https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/single-seaters/f1/f1-to-hold-first-qatar-grand-prix-at-losail-this-november . 30 September 2021 . 2 February 2024 . Motor Sport Magazine . en-GB.
  46. Web site: Noble . Jonathan . 12 November 2020 . Sao Paulo agrees deal with F1 to host Brazilian GP until 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201114162101/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/153465/sao-paulo-to-keep-f1-brazilian-gp-until-2025 . 14 November 2020 . 2 February 2024 . Autosport.com . en.
  47. Web site: 19 January 2023 . Jeddah expects to host F1 race until Qiddiya circuit is ready in 2027 . 2 February 2024 . RACER . en-US.
  48. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/motor/formula1/2022/01/27/f1-signs-7-year-contract-extension-with-singapore-grand-prix/49726135/ F1 signs 7-year contract extension with Singapore Grand Prix
  49. News: 26 November 2021 . Formula 1 renews deal with the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya until 2026 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612142007/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-formula-1-renews-deal-with-the-circuit-de-barcelona-catalunya-until.2kv0OwJ2uSikb4lhVC9Nh9.html . 12 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . f1.com.
  50. News: 2024-01-23 . Spanish Grand Prix to move from Barcelona to Madrid in 2026 . 2024-05-06 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  51. News: Kallas . Fernando . Madrid to host Spanish GP from 2026, Barcelona future uncertain . 7 May 2024 . 23 January 2024 . Madrid will host the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026 to 2035 on a new city circuit around the capital's IFEMA exhibition centre, Formula One said on Tuesday in an announcement that left Barcelona facing an uncertain future..
  52. Web site: 18 February 2022 . Austin's U.S. Grand Prix extends F1 deal to 2026 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220619202223/https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/33318813/austin-us-grand-prix-extends-f1-deal-2026 . 19 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . ESPN.
  53. Web site: Formula 1 to race in Belgium until 2025 under new deal . 2 February 2024 . Formula 1 . en.
  54. Web site: Formula 1 . 6 November 2021 . F1 extends Chinese Grand Prix contract to 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106023714/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.f1-extends-chinese-grand-prix-contract-to-2025.3EWPSR02zKJ4ItdLHQtk8u.html . 6 November 2021 . 2 February 2024 . Formula 1 . en.
  55. Web site: 8 December 2022 . F1 to race at Zandvoort until 2025 as Dutch Grand Prix seals new deal . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221208072336/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.f1-to-race-at-zandvoort-until-2025-as-dutch-grand-prix-seals-new-deal.7NljAoUnG7gIV35rz8SPi.html . 8 December 2022 . 2 February 2024 . . en.
  56. News: 7 March 2022 . Formula 1 announces it will race at Imola until 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220612143511/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-announces-it-will-race-at-imola-until-2025.Rrtuijub7DtSJKD1uqmIq.html . 12 June 2022 . 2 February 2024 . Formula1.com.
  57. News: 1 June 2020 . F1 News:Italian GP deal extended by an extra year to 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513083456/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-news-italian-gp-deal-extended-by-an-extra-year-to-2025-4982229/4982229/ . 13 May 2021 . 2 February 2024 . Autosport.
  58. Web site: 2023-10-13 . The F1 Grands Prix that might disappear in the coming years . 2024-05-06 . RacingNews365 . en.
  59. Web site: 28 October 2022 . Formula 1 to race in Mexico City until 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20221027212415/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.formula-1-to-race-in-mexico-city-until-2025.dpLkSgbCkshDVicgClqAP.html . 27 October 2022 . 2 February 2024 . Formula1.
  60. Web site: 20 September 2022 . Monaco GP to stay on F1 calendar until 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230101065437/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/monaco-gp-extends-f1-contract-until-2025/10372064/ . 1 January 2023 . 1 January 2023 . www.autosport.com . en.
  61. Web site: 16 August 2022 . F1's 2026 power unit regulations approved by FIA's World Motor Sport Council .
  62. Web site: 16 August 2022 . 7 things you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine regulations . 2024-04-04 . www.formula1.com . en.
  63. News: How F1's new active aero will work in 2026 . Noble . Jonathan . Autosport . 6 June 2024.
  64. News: Revealed: First images of F1's new 2026 car concept . Noble . Jonathan . Autosport . 6 June 2024.
  65. Web site: F1 reveals 2026 cars – Everything worth knowing. The Race. 6 June 2024. 6 June 2024.
  66. News: Tech Analysis How F1 will survive without DRS in 2026 . 11 June 2024 . GPblog.com . 9 June 2024 . en.

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