The 2026 Formula 1 season begins this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, marking the start of a new era for the sport with sweeping technical regulations and the addition of a new team, Cadillac.
The grid will feature 11 teams, with McLaren entering as the reigning constructors’ champion after securing back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025, and driver Lando Norris as the current world drivers’ champion. The team will continue to race in its signature black and orange livery, sponsored by Mastercard.
Mercedes, aiming to rebound from recent regulation struggles, unveils an evolution of its black and silver design, incorporating Adidas stripes. The team hopes its W17 car, piloted by George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, will challenge for the championship.
Ferrari, seeking its first title in 18 years, has introduced an innovative rear wing design on its SF-26, capable of rotating 180 degrees. Lewis Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc at the Italian team, racing in a familiar all-red car with a white cockpit area and a gloss finish.
Red Bull, now operating its own power unit program in partnership with Ford, launches the RB22, powered by the DM01 engine. Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar will drive for the team, sporting a refreshed version of Red Bull’s iconic blue and red color scheme.
Williams has opted for a solid testing program, skipping the Barcelona shakedown in February to focus on the two Bahrain tests. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon will drive the FW48, which retains the team’s blue livery with added white accents and Barclays sponsorship branding.
Haas enters the season with a strong pre-season showing, utilizing a Ferrari power unit in its VF-26. The car features a refreshed livery thanks to a new partnership with Toyota, incorporating the Japanese marque’s branding.
Aston Martin, led by famed designer Adrian Newey and powered by Honda, faced setbacks with a delayed Barcelona shakedown and engine troubles in Bahrain. The AMR26 features a matte green finish and innovative design flourishes.
Racing Bulls, the Red Bull junior team, will be powered by a Red Bull-Ford engine in its VCARB03, driven by Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad. The team has undergone a leadership change with Alan Permane taking the helm and a refreshed white livery.
Alpine is undergoing a reinvention, aiming to improve on a disappointing 2025 season. The A526, powered by a Mercedes engine, features a distinctive blue and pink livery thanks to its partnership with BWT.
Audi makes its official entry into Formula 1, taking over the Sauber team and running its own power unit developed in Neuburg, Germany. The R26 features a matte silver and red livery that has drawn mixed reactions from fans.
Cadillac joins the grid as an all-new team, partnering with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Initially, the team will utilize Ferrari power units before its own engine program comes online in 2029. Cadillac’s MAC-26 features a unique two-sided livery with white and black highlights and chrome details.
The Australian Grand Prix weekend schedule begins with Free Practice 1 on Friday, March 6 at 12:30 local time, followed by Free Practice 2 at 16:00. Saturday features Free Practice 3 at 12:30 and Qualifying at 16:00. The Grand Prix itself is scheduled for 15:00 on Sunday, March 8.
Coverage of the Australian Grand Prix will be available on F1 TV Pro, offering features like onboard cameras and pre- and post-race shows. Fans can too watch via F1 TV Premium, with 4K Ultra HD/HDR streaming and a personalized Multiview feature. Network 10 will provide free-to-air coverage on Channel 10 and 10 Play, while Foxtel will broadcast the race on Fox Sports channel 507 and stream it via Foxtel Go and Kayo.