Overview
- The championship runs from March 6 in Australia to December 4 in Abu Dhabi with 24 Grands Prix and six sprint weekends.
- Calendar changes include the Madrid Grand Prix on September 11–13 and the removal of Imola, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia moved to April to accommodate Ramadan.
- Preseason features a private shakedown in Barcelona on January 26–30 with no media access, followed by two Bahrain test blocks on February 11–13 and 18–20.
- The 2026 technical package increases the electric share of power to roughly half, removes the MGU‑H, and mandates 100% sustainable fuels alongside more compact cars.
- Manufacturer and team shifts take shape as Audi, Cadillac and Ford join or expand involvement, Cadillac debuts with Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, and Alpine switches to Mercedes power with a January 23 presentation in Barcelona.