The 2026 rules have produced the slowest-looking cars, but are they the fastest to drive?
The 2026 Formula 1 world championship kicked off with the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park on March 6 to 8, marking the start of a new era. Following a “brutal” off-season of intense development, teams face the biggest regulation overhaul in sports history, featuring smaller, lighter cars designed to be more agile, active aerodynamics replacing DRS (Drag Reduction System), and a “50-50” split between internal combustion and electrical power. Cars are now 200mm shorter in wheelbase and 100mm narrower, reducing the minimum weight to 768kg. Cars also feature movable front and rear wings that shift between low-drag and high-downforce, replacing the traditional DRS system. New, more efficient power units feature a 50-50 power split between the combustion engine and the electric motor, resulting in lower downforce but faster acceleration.
Preseason testing suggested that while Mercedes and Ferrari stand out with early engine power and pace, McLaren—who are reigning constructors’ champions—are fighting to keep a top spot, while Cadillac debuts as an 11th team, revealed during the 2026 Super Bowl commercials.
Only three races have been completed so far:
Australian GP (Round 1) – Winner: George Russell (Mercedes)
Mercedes started the new regulation era strong with a 1–2 finish (Russell ahead of Antonelli).
Chinese GP (Round 2) – Winner: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
The 19-year-old rookie took his first F1 win, becoming one of the youngest race winners ever.
Japanese GP (Round 3) – Winner: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) finished second, with Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) third. The race featured a massive 50G crash by Ollie Bearman, highlighting safety concerns with 2026 car speed differentials
Early Season Talk:
Much of the early-season conversation has centered on Antonelli. The Italian rookie entered Formula 1 with immense expectations after a dominant junior career, and his victory in China showed he may already be capable of fighting for wins regularly.
One of the biggest surprises of the season so far has been the relatively quiet start for Red Bull Racing. Three-time world champion Max Verstappen has struggled to fight at the front, with the team currently sitting behind Mercedes, Ferrari, and even several midfield contenders in early standings.
