Overview
- Teams begin a three-part winter program with a closed Barcelona session on January 26–30, followed by two media-accessible tests in Bahrain on February 11–13 and 18–20 ahead of the March 9 season opener in Melbourne.
- The new rules drop DRS in favor of active front and rear wing modes plus a driver‑controlled electric overtake boost, alongside smaller, lighter cars aimed at closer racing.
- Power units shift to roughly 50% electric output and run on 100% sustainable fuel as the series advances its climate targets.
- Cadillac enters as the first new team since 2016, with its car expected to run during the winter program as the grid adapts to the new era.
- Ford’s Mark Rushbrook says the Red Bull–Ford power unit is on plan, though real validation awaits track running, while Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur notes the $215 million 2026 budget cap will tightly govern update timing and scope.