2026 F1 SEASON PREVIEW: Why this year will be BRUTAL!

Season at a glance

2026 is the longest Formula 1 season yet. It stretches from March 8 to December 6 — 274 days of racing, travel and tactical headaches. The calendar includes three summer-break weekends, two quiet weekends between Miami and Canada, five standalone races and two triple headers that cramp six races into the final stretch. That alone makes this year a logistical marathon.

The season opens at Albert Park in Melbourne on March 8. With extra grandstands and renewed local interest, Australia could be one of the biggest-attended events of the year. Spectator curiosity is high because testing only hints at pace — the real answers will arrive once the 22 cars do 58 laps of Albert Park.

Key races and calendar shakeups

Several calendar stories deserve attention. Madrid is brand new and still under scrutiny — there is real talk it might not be ready in time. If Madrid falls through, Imola looks like the leading replacement. By the end of the year we lose Zandvoort and Belgium, though Belgium could return as part of a rotate-every-other-year setup, perhaps sharing time with Portugal in 2027.

Japan faces a different problem: the grid no longer includes a hometown star after Yuki Tsunoda’s departure. That could dent local ticket demand. Azerbaijan moves to a Saturday race day because of a national holiday — a detail that trips up travel plans more often than you’d expect.

Rules, technical changes and on-track drama

New 2026 cars and fresh regulations mean a lot of unknowns. With major changes comes higher risk of post-race technical protests and disqualifications. Over the last eight seasons there were about 15 post-race exclusions — nearly two a year. Given how little teams understand the new machinery this season, expect that number to trend upward. Skid block wear, underweight cars and illegal driver aids have been recurrent causes in recent years, and those failure points will remain front of mind.

Big team and driver storylines

There are several narrative arcs that will drive headlines. Christian Horner is rumoured to be buying a stake in Alpine, a move that raises questions about his role and how that partnership would function alongside current management.

Mercedes looks quick in early trims and George Russell is the early favourite for the title, while Lando Norris will be fighting to retain momentum and his status at McLaren. Ferrari showed encouraging signs during Barcelona testing, but history warns that pre-season pace does not always translate into a full campaign.

Red Bull has undergone a significant reshuffle: long-serving names have left and Laurent Mekies is the new team principal. The team’s track record with young drivers is a cautionary tale — past prospects lasted only a handful of races. Isack Hadjar steps into a high-pressure role this year and faces the usual gauntlet of expectation.

Cadillac joins the grid as a rookie team and brings some big names back into the paddock. Valtteri Bottas returns and seems to be relishing the new challenge, with Sergio Perez joining too. For Cadillac the immediate priorities are getting the car to the grid and reaching acceptable reliability before realistically chasing points.

Rising drivers and the feeder series

Colton Herta moved from IndyCar into F2 and will be one to watch. Under the guidance of ex-Alpine team principal Oliver Oakes, Herta needs super licence points, and a solid F2 season could put him in position for an F1 opportunity — likely with Cadillac should a seat open up. That could put pressure on established drivers if performance dictates change.

Broadcasts, travel and fan experience

In the United States, access to F1 changes hands: Apple TV replaces ESPN as the US broadcaster and reportedly paid about 50% more. That switch will test how well streaming integrates mainstream audiences and fan habits. Worldwide rights shakeups could continue to reshape how races are consumed in various markets.

Adding a 24th car has a ripple effect off track too. Each race city needs 400-plus extra room nights, making decent, close-in accommodation harder to find and pushing prices up. That affects teams, sponsors and fans who travel. For media and content creators, the grind of travel will be real — some legs, like Las Vegas to Doha, are 16 hours in the air with an 11-hour time difference.

Testing, reliability and who will surprise

Barcelona offered a glimmer of form lines, but the proper read will come from the two three-day test sessions in Bahrain. Expect big swings from what teams reveal in testing to what they deliver in race trim. Cadillac was notably off the pace in Barcelona — several seconds slower than the quickest cars — but that can change a lot once reliability and running are optimised.

Williams had a bruising pre-season: missed testing due to failed crash tests and a heavy car. Since passing the crash tests their package has reportedly been trimmed down, but lost mileage in testing can be costly. Reliability, more than raw pace, looks like the defining factor this year.

What 22 cars on track will look like

Twenty-two cars increases first-lap fireworks and tight-track congestion. Open, high-speed circuits such as Spa, Las Vegas and Jeddah will settle down into familiar patterns, but tight, short circuits like Monaco will feel markedly more crowded. Drivers will also carry more responsibility managing battery, energy deployment and new overtake modes — tactical decisions that could favour younger, tech-savvy racers.

Why reliability will decide the season

With new cars, new rules and a punishing travel schedule, the championship will increasingly reward teams who combine pace with durability. Expect surprise podiums — last year had shock results from drivers like Nico Hulkenberg — and that unpredictability is healthy for the sport. The final races could still produce decisive, cliffhanger moments if championships remain close into the Abu Dhabi finale.

Final thoughts

This season promises intense storylines: big-name comebacks, rookie teams finding their feet, broadcast shifts and calendar uncertainty. Logistics and reliability will be constant undercurrents shaping outcomes. For fans, teams and drivers alike it will be a test of endurance, adaptability and strategic thinking. Expect drama, surprise results and plenty to argue about over the next 274 days.

Will the new Madrid race happen in 2026?

Madrid remains uncertain. Organisers face a tight window to demonstrate readiness. If Madrid cannot proceed, Imola is the likely fallback. Expect a late decision as construction and homologation deadlines approach.

How will Apple TV as the US broadcaster affect viewers?

Apple TV replaces ESPN and paid significantly more for the rights. For subscribers it may enhance access and production, but those without Apple TV will need to adjust. The long-term impact depends on whether Apple secures wider, global rights and how fans adapt to streaming-first coverage.

Should fans expect more post-race disqualifications?

Yes. With new regulations and vehicle architectures, compliance edge cases will likely rise. Historical trends already show roughly two post-race exclusions per year; 2026’s novelty increases the risk of additional technical protests and disqualifications.

Can Cadillac be competitive immediately?

Immediate competitiveness is unlikely. Rookie teams typically prioritise getting the car on track and establishing reliability. Cadillac’s US backing and driver lineup give it upside, but points and podiums will be a medium-term goal rather than immediate expectations.