Formula 1 in 2026

Formula 1 in 2026

By John Stratton and Ryan Yoo

Edited by: Taylor Choe

As the new Formula 1 season revs up in Melbourne, there are a few more things that you need to know. From smaller cars to an overtake mode, and even a new team, if you do not know the changes that happened over the offseason, you will be very confused in Australia, and beyond.

1. Smaller, Lighter Cars

Many changes have been made to the cars over the season, including a narrower wheel design and eventually a faster car. Something that chief engineers and drivers are going to be most impacted by is the size of the tire. This leads to less grip on the track, and the drivers are going to be racing much tighter lines. Also, the FIA (International Automobile Federation) has dropped the minimum weight of the cars by 32 kilograms, and though that might seem small, it is going to lead to a much faster speed out on the circuit.

2. New team, new drivers

As the new season comes, there's also a new team after many years with Audi’s success in motorsport, such as their 13 wins in the 24-hour Le Mans race or the four world titles on the World Rally Championship. They also want to dominate the track with Formula 1; their new car is the R26, with a 2.4L V8 engine producing 755-775hp. Another new team coming for F1 is the famous American car brand… as their new drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, their car model known as the Cadillac MAC-26, as it uses the Ferrari power unit, their top speed goes 233mph, and can go 0-60 in 1.6 seconds. As they both head into the race, they will achieve great things throughout their careers.

3. Overtake Mode

If you did not know… DRS (Drag Reduction System) is considered history, and a new overtaking system is coming into place, known as “Overtake Mode.” Instead of many points in the track like DRS, Overtake Mode is only going to be used in the pit straight. They use the same rules as DRS, though; you have to be either one second or under it to be able to use overtake mode. The way Overtake Mode works is that they can use a large amount of their power units' charge to almost have an extra boost over the competition and go faster than the car ahead of them.

In conclusion, there will be a significant change in how Formula One operates in the 2026 season, and it will be interesting to watch it unfold. Some new things in the new season include a new team, a replacement team, a new overtake mode, and smaller, lighter cars.