New Surprises, New Teams, New Regulations: An In-Depth Forecast of the 2026 Formula 1 Grand Prix Season

The 2026 Formula 1 season is set to blast off within a week at the Australian Grand Prix, marking the start of 24 riveting rounds of high-speed vehicular combat. The upcoming season teems with uncertainty and unpredictability, as established drivers brace themselves to face the onslaught of rising stars. Among the few noticeable driver changes this year, two new teams are also poised for their maiden F1 journey, signalling an excitement-filled phase ahead. To top it all, new engine supplies and technical advancements regarding the drivetrain and aerodynamics are in store, completely changing the game. The 2026 season officially pulls the plug on the DRS system that was conventionally followed since 2011, ushering in a fresh overtake mode with additional hybridisation of the engine and battery pack. The competition intensifies as Lando Norris takes the wheel to bag his second Driver’s Championship, garnishing the thrill with Max Verstappen’s aim to recapture his title and Lewis Hamilton’s ambition of securing a historic 8th title. The biggest revelation for the new season is the introduction of the new drivetrain system that supplants the former 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 engine with a hybrid system accounting for approximately 20% of the total power, now shifting to a proportionate division between the combustion engine and the hybrid system. The Motor Generator Unit – Heat (MGU-H) is discontinued while the output power from the Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic (MGU-K) is dramatically scaled up, aggregating to over 1,000bhp, even though the official figures are yet to be announced. This implies a significant shift from two energy recovery systems to a purely kinetic one, escalating its efficiency in assisting the combustion engine. A chief concern for all the teams and drivers is the regulation of this electric power during the race and at its onset. Amid apprehensions of cars running out of battery power mid-course and having faced difficulties in practice starts, it is speculated that the distribution of power delivery from the combustion engine and the electric system could shift from a 50-50 to 70-30 split. With such an electrifying start, the 2026 Formula 1 season is already stirring controversy and heated discussions even before the flag-off in Melbourne.