F1 2026 season preview

On eve of the new Formula 1 season which starts on 6th to 8th March at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Australia, there are new rules and also new car designs this year.

Some of the new rules this year sees the removal of DRS (Drag Reduction System) which has now been replaced the overtake button which drivers can use when they’re within 1 second of the car in front and that gives them an extra few brake horse power and driver cooling vests will be mandated this year on a race weekend where a heat hazard warning is in place.

Regarding teams and drivers for 2026, here is the driver line up for the year with 2 new teams and 1 new driver:

• McLaren – 1: Lando Norris (GB) & 81: Oscar Piastri (AUS)
• Mercedes – 63: George Russell (GB) & 12: Andrea ‘Kimi’ Antonelli (ITA)
• Red Bull – 3: Max Verstappen (NED) & 6: Isack Hadjar (FRA)
• Ferrari – 16: Charles Leclerc (MON) & 44: Sir Lewis Hamilton (GB)
• Williams – 23: Alexander Albon (THA) & 55: Carlos Sainz (SPA)
• Racing Bulls – 30: Liam Lawson (NZ) & 41: Arvid Lindblad (GB)
• Aston Martin – 14: Fernando Alonso (SPA) & 18: Lance Stroll (CAN)
• Haas – 31: Esteban Ocon (FRA) & 87: Oliver Bearman (GB)
• Alpine – 10: Pierre Gasly (FRA) & 43: Franco Colapinto (ARG)
• Audi – 27: Nico Hulkenberg (GER) & 5: Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA)
• Cadillac – 11: Sergio Perez (MEX) & 77: Valterri Bottas (FIN)

There is a new circuit on the calendar this year which welcomes the Madring in Madrid, Spain which will host the Spanish Grand Prix in September.

Here is Aston and regular contributor Cameron Perkins to preview the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.