Overview
- Formula 1 will drop six drivers in Q1 and six in Q2 from 2026, maintaining a 10-car Q3 after Cadillac’s entry expands the field to 22.
- The 2026 calendar is set with Madrid replacing Emilia-Romagna, and preseason testing grows to three sessions in Barcelona (Jan 26–30) and Bahrain (Feb 11–13 and Feb 18–20).
- New technical rules debut in 2026 with power units targeting roughly 50% electric output, 100% sustainable fuels, smaller cars and active aerodynamics to aid overtaking.
- Aston Martin says its new wind tunnel is not yet at full potential as investments and hires, including Adrian Newey, ramp up; Haas moves its VF-26 launch to Jan 19, keeps Ferrari power, and fields Esteban Ocon with Oliver Bearman.
- Alpine boss Steve Nielsen delivered a blunt self-review of 2025 and set the goal of both cars scoring regularly in 2026, with Franco Colapinto confirmed for a full season and backed with the same tools as Pierre Gasly, while Dakar’s fifth stage saw Nani Roma lose a win to a 1:10 penalty and Jesús Calleja and Eduardo Blanco crash out without life-threatening injuries.