Everything you need to know

THE 2026 Formula

- JEHRAN NAIDOO

MCLAREN and Lando Norris will be looking to defend their Formula One titles next season. | AFP

(AFP)

One season will usher in a new era for the sport, defined by the most comprehensive regulation overhaul since the turbo-hybrid rules reshaped the grid in 2014. With new power units, radically altered aerodynamics, an expanded grid of 11 teams and a full 24-race calendar, Formula One enters a period of reset that could reshuffle the competitive order.A break from 2025 formula

Compared to the 2025 season, this season’s regulations represent a fundamental shift in philosophy.

While the 2025 cars were heavy, aerodynamically complex groundeffect machines powered by V6 turbo-hybrids dominated by internal combustion, the new generation is designed to be lighter, simpler and more electrically driven.

The most striking change is to the power units. In 2025, the internal combustion engine remains the dominant contributor to performance, with the electrical system playing a supporting role.

From 2026, power delivery will be split almost evenly between the internal combustion engine was the electric motor. Electrical output will increase significantly, while the complex MGU-H system used in 2025 is removed entirely, reducing cost and technical barriers for new manufacturers.

Sustainable fuels will continue from 2025 into 2026, but the new engines are designed specifically around these fuels rather than adapting existing concepts. The result is a power unit that is cheaper, greener and more roadrelevant, a key reason behind the influx of new manufacturers.