LONDON ¨C New cars, new power and new teams for a new era ¡ª Formula One starts afresh in Australia this week with a heady mix of excitement, uncertainty and apprehension. Never shy of underselling itself, the high-octane sport appears on the money in billing the 2026 season as the biggest shake-up it has ever seen.
For the first time in decades the chassis and power unit regulations have changed at the same time, a massive challenge even for the biggest teams, with near parity between the electrical and combustion engine elements. There is also 100% advanced sustainable fuel, Madrid¡¯s debut on the 24-race calendar, a new champion in McLaren¡¯s Lando Norris and one of the youngest drivers ever to start a grand prix in Racing Bulls¡¯ British 18-year-old rookie Arvid Lindblad.
The last time there was such a significant engine reset, in 2014, Mercedes went on a record run of dominance but this time the campaign could be much more open.
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