It’s lights out and away we go for Formula 1 fans this weekend! As we gear up for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, many things have emerged, from new teams all the way to the effects of geopolitical tensions on the racing calendar. This winter break has seen a plethora of changes to the sport, and will hopefully lead to a dramatic, fast-paced upcoming season.

REGULATIONS

This year will mark the departure of DRS (Drag Reduction System). For those unfamiliar with DRS, it is a button on the driver’s steering wheel that enables the opening of a flap on the rear wing. This allows for the reduction of drag on the car, as the air flows through the open space. To utilize this advantage, a driver must be within one second of the car in front of them at a designated detection point along the track. These points can vary based on the circuit. The first driver to activate DRS in a race was the 2009 World Champion Jenson Button at the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix, while the first driver to make an overtake using DRS was 2x former World Champion Fernando Alonso during the 2011 Australian Grand Prix.

Although DRS served its purpose of creating more exciting and frequent overtakes, the FIA (International Automobile Federation, or governing body of Formula 1) is always looking for ways to improve racing. Taking its place this year will be a new system called Overtake Mode. This is quite a package of features that allows drivers to temporarily increase their car’s power output, fine-tune aerodynamics for reduced drag, and optimize energy deployment from the new hybrid system. The goal is to make overtaking more strategic and skill-based, adding an extra layer of excitement to the race while keeping the outcome less predictable and more engaging for fans.

TEAMS

Besides new engines, we now have more engines on the grid. Introducing a new eleventh team to the grid, the American-owned team Cadillac is joining in on the challenge of the WCC (World Constructors Championship). While having 11 teams is not new, the last time the grid had more than 10 teams was in 2016. Formula 1 teams are undoubtedly expensive to maintain, and cost much more to start up. Two experienced and well-loved drivers will be making a return in the seats of this emerging team. They will be Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas.

Another team has undergone major changes this season. Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber has officially transitioned into becoming Audi Revolut F1 Team. They are backed by the German automaker Audi, and title sponsor Revolut. The team has entered a new era as it prepares to compete as a full works team. This means that Audi will play a much larger role in the team’s development, including building its own power unit.

Unfortunately for Aston Martin Aramco fans, speculation from the press has debated their possibility of finishing this weekend’s race. The team has reported ongoing technical issues with their power unit and cooling system, which have affected both reliability and performance during practice sessions. Engineers are working around the clock to address the problems, but uncertainty remains over whether the cars will be able to complete the full race distance for the first race.

With the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the F1 Academy is also back in action. Started up in 2023 and currently led by Susie Wolff, it continues its mission to develop and promote female talent in motorsport. The series provides a platform for young women drivers to gain experience in single-seater racing with Formula 4 level cars, with the goal of preparing them for higher categories such as Formula 3, Formula 2, and ultimately Formula 1. This year, the championship features a competitive grid, improved car performance, and closer integration with Formula 1 events, giving drivers valuable exposure on the same circuits and weekends as the Formula 1 teams.

DRIVERS

In the previous year, 2025, Formula 1 saw the introduction of six full-time rookies to the grid: Oliver Bearman, Gabriel Bortoleto, Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar, Jack Doohan, and Liam Lawson. This year, however, Arvid Lindblad stands out as the only rookie on the 2026 grid. Of Indian and Swedish descent, Lindblad races under the UK flag, being born in England and brings a unique multicultural background to the sport. With Yuki Tsunoda leaving the second Red Bull seat and Isack Hadjar being promoted into that Red Bull seat, Lindblad earned the opportunity to step into Formula 1 full-time with Racing Bulls team (also known as Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team). Before making his F1 debut, Lindblad had an immediate rise through the junior categories with the Red Bull junior team, winning multiple karting events, Formula 4 and Formula 3 titles, and finishing 2025 as the youngest race winner.

STREAMING

For viewers in the United States, a new way to watch Formula 1 is coming to you right at home. This year marks the beginning of a partnership between Formula 1 and Apple TV to stream all practice, qualifying, and racing sessions. Additionally, a new partnership with IMAX movie theaters will allow fans to watch live races across the country. These races will include Miami (FL), Monaco, Silverstone, Monza, and Austin (TX).

SCHEDULE

Fans have long loved the Imola Grand Prix, and its historical and cultural roots have definitely made an impact in Formula 1. It was known to be a dangerous track before modern safety regulations, and is even where the tragic loss of the legendary driver Ayrton Senna occurred. Unfortunately for many fans, this race has been removed from the calendar, supposedly to allow space for different racing locations to emerge. Replacing it will be a brand new race hosted in Madrid, Spain. This will be the second Spanish race in the 2026 calendar.

Due to the joint strike of Iran coordinated by Israel and the United States, safety in the Middle East has become a large concern. With the transition from pre-season testing in Bahrain to Australia being compromised by counterstrikes made by Iran, FIA officials took care to consider the safety and security of their staff. Since Qatar has been affected by Iranian retaliation as well, the Qatar Grand Prix, originally scheduled for March 26th-28th, has now been moved to a later date in November. Although public concern over the April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia has increased, the FIA has not yet made an official decision on the postponement or cancellation of either race.

If you are familiar with Grill the Grid hosted by the Formula 1 promotional team, we would like to introduce our own version of this called Trivia on the Track. Let’s test your knowledge of last year’s Formula 1 season:

QUESTIONS:

1. Who was the last driver to push the DRS button?
2. Which team won the 2025 WCC?
3. Which driver won the 2025 WDC?
4. Who were the rookies of the 2025 season?
5. Where did Nico Hulkenberg get his first podium?

ANSWERS can be found under the Sports category on the main menu of The Buzz!