by Vivan Vipin ’29
Formula 1, the biggest stage of racing in the world, where the 22 best drivers in the world, yes 22, fight for the podium in an epic 24 race battle.
What’s New
2026 is a complete restart to F1, not only are there new teams on the grid, but the cars you see whizzing around 200 mph are now also different as the FIA shifts towards a greener and more carbon neutral future. 2026 cars are smaller and offer a new 50-50 split between the ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) and electric motors. These differences will make for a smaller and lighter car while offering more torque through the increased use of motors. But that was all last season, 2026’s new regulations have catapulted new teams to the front, with Mercedes and Ferrari looking especially strong in testing. Ferrari hopes to overcome what was a disastrous 2025 season where the SF-25 often looked out of place as Ferrari never managed a victory despite the star lineup of Hamilton and Leclerc. Ferrari’s 2026 car however has caught the eye of many fans, in Bahrain testing they debuted a new fully rotating wing. For the first time since 2016, the F1 grid in Australia will include 22 cars and 22 drivers. These drivers come with the entry of one new team to the 2026 grid, Cadillac and the renaming of Kick Sauber, a bottom field team, into Audi, the second German team on the grid. These two teams’ entries will shake up the grid, making for an amazing 2026. With Cadilac rocking the veteran lineup of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas; and Audi continuing with sophomore Gabriel Bortoleto and veteran Nico Hulkenberg.
These changes haven’t come without backlash, the outspoken Verstappen commented that, “F1 has become Formula-E on steroids.” Drivers now must worry more about battery conservation, encouraging them to coast in corners to save energy for the straights. As a result, the intense divebombs and late breaking fans love will be cut down as teams try to save energy to pass on straights. The issues of the electric system were seen clearly in testing as teams like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Williams understood the trick of launching the cars during practice race starts. Whereas other teams like McLaren and Red Bull couldn’t and were left in the dust, which bringing up concerns about safety on starts.
Current Title Favorites
Although the first few races haven’t even begun, fans and analysts alike have put in predictions for who they think is taking home the Championship trophy. Russell leads the odds with 25%, Verstappen at 23%, Leclerc at 18%, Hamilton at 15%, and 2025 champion Lando Norris at just 9%. Reminder Verstappen was favored entering 2025 before the McLarens took of into the distance. Mercedes and Ferrari are favored for the Constructors Championship, at 40% and 30% respectively; with back-to-back reigning champions McLaren at 21%.