2026 F1 Season: A New Technical Era Begins

The 2026 Formula 1 season will begin on March 8 at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. As every year, Australia will open the championship. This time, however, the context is different.

Formula 1 is entering a new regulatory era. Chassis, aerodynamics, power units, energy management — the entire technical concept is evolving in depth. Added to this are two new teams and an expanded grid.

An Expanded Grid: Audi and Cadillac Join the Championship

The 2026 season will now feature eleven teams instead of ten.

Audi will permanently replace Sauber and compete as an official works constructor. The project has been prepared over several years, with a dedicated structure and significant resources.

Cadillac will also join the grid. With these two arrivals, the championship will expand to 22 drivers competing across 24 Grands Prix.

More teams mean more cars on track and more direct battles. The midfield could become tighter, with several teams fighting for the same positions.

This may also influence race strategy. With more cars in play, gaps can shrink and opportunities can increase, particularly at race starts and during safety car phases.

The opening rounds will reveal where these new structures stand compared to the established teams.

More Compact and Lighter Cars

The 2026 regulations introduce major dimensional changes.

Wheelbase is reduced from 3.6 metres to 3.4 metres. Overall width decreases from 2 metres to 1.9 metres. Minimum weight is set at 768 kg, approximately 30 kg lighter than the current generation.

In addition, tyres will be narrower at both the front and rear, reducing mechanical grip. Overall aerodynamic downforce will decrease by around 30 percent, while drag will be significantly reduced.

The objective is to produce cars that are more agile and less dependent on massive aerodynamic load. In theory, this should increase the importance of driver input and make high-speed sequences more demanding.

Active Aerodynamics Replace the DRS Era

From 2026 onward, cars will be equipped with a more advanced active aerodynamics system. Both front and rear wings will be able to switch between different configurations at specific activation points on the circuit.

These transitions instantly alter the car’s balance. Early simulator work has shown that switching modes requires rapid driver adaptation, as the behaviour of the car changes significantly.

The intention is to encourage overtaking through a broader performance balance — combining energy management, racing line, timing and strategy — rather than relying on a single device.

A Completely Redesigned Power Unit

The most significant transformation concerns the power unit.

Today, most of the power comes from the internal combustion engine. In 2026, the balance will move closer to a 50/50 split between combustion and electric power.

The MGU-K system, responsible for harvesting energy under braking, will play a much greater role. Recoverable energy per lap will double. The MGU-H, which harvested heat energy from exhaust gases, will be removed.

DRS will be replaced by a system called Override. From 290 km/h, drivers will be able to activate a temporary boost of electric power. However, energy reserves will remain limited. Above 355 km/h, electric assistance will gradually decrease.

Energy management will become central to race strategy. Drivers may adjust braking intensity to optimise energy recovery before certain acceleration phases, adding an extra tactical dimension.

All power units will run exclusively on sustainable fuels, in line with the championship’s environmental objectives.

Following the Season from the First to the Last Lap

The 2026 season marks a turning point for Formula 1.

It also marks the launch of our new collection.

Designed around the official calendar, the 2026 Collection highlights all 24 Grands Prix of the year. Every date, every circuit, every stage of the championship is integrated into a structured design faithful to the United 61 identity.

The 2026 Tour Tee stands as the central piece of the collection. It brings together the entire calendar, from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi, through a graphic approach inspired by paddock culture and motorsport codes.

A complete season translated into design.

A piece created to follow every race weekend.

The 2026 Collection is now available.