If you’ve recently tuned out of Formula 1 because it felt like dirty air was being talked about more than overtakes, then it might be time to rekindle the love. This 2026 season represents a new chapter—a factory reset for both the powertrain and aerodynamics, with the focus now turning to smaller, lighter cars.
More than anything, this year will be a battleground for some of the world’s largest automakers. For the first time in decades, most of the logos on the grid will match the logos on our driveways.
With that, we wanted to fill you in on the details of who’s joining, who’s staying, and who the power players could be as F1 undergoes its biggest change in recent history.
Alpine: The Only Way is Up
While Alpine road cars are some of the best I’ve ever driven, its F1 project leaves a lot to be desired. Following a run of poor results, including finishing bottom in 2025 with not even half the points of Sauber, which finished second last, the Renault Group decided to shut down its French engine program.
This comes as the organization looks to be more lean, focusing on what really matters: the chassis. Because of this, Mercedes-Benz will be filling the empty space behind the driver, and its power unit is expected to be impressive this year.
Led by controversial character Flavio Briatore, there’s potential in the old girl yet, but without real backing from Renault, it feels like a shell of what it used to be. Fortunately, it boasts two very talented drivers in the shape of the experienced Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto.
Audi: The New Heavyweight
Photo by: Audi
If you’ve ever driven an RS model, you know just how good Audi performance cars can be. When Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto joined Sauber, I asked them what their company cars looked like. The answer? An RS6—something Bortoleto was especially pleased with.
But this is the Volkswagen Group’s first real foray into F1. Audi has shown success in rallying, Le Mans, and touring cars in the past, so F1 looks to be the final checkbox. The company is backing this effort with substantial resources, proven by the fact that it even built its own engine.
Audi’s management is proven, its drivers are talented, and the company is hoping the change in regulations will flatten the field enough for it to be in with a chance. This behemoth of a team could be one to watch this year.
Cadillac: The American Dream
Photo by: Cadillac
Red Bull’s challenge is nothing compared to Cadillac’s, which is entering F1 for the first time ever as the championship’s 11th team. This is a huge step for the United States, fully confirming the country’s rightful place within what used to be a European-dominant sport.
Supported by General Motors, there’s no shortage of resources. But 2026 will be a year of discovery for the team, which is building its own chassis from scratch. The power unit will come from Ferrari—expected to be potent this year—but Cadillac is working on its own powertrain and should introduce it close to 2028.
With motorsport legend Mario Andretti on the board of directors and plenty of other talented individuals behind the closed doors of its Silverstone headquarters, it’s a promising team. I was one of the few journalists invited to the HQ’s opening, and the atmosphere was thick with confidence.
Experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas lead the team in what will be an exciting year for them.
Ferrari & Mercedes-Benz: Business As Usual
Lewis Hamilton In Ferrari’s F1 Car
Photo by: Ferrari
The titans of the championship remain, with Ferrari and Mercedes supplying multiple other teams with their powertrains and components. In a hybrid world, the Silver Arrows are the power unit favourites, but the power of the Scuderia should never be doubted in the pinnacle of motorsport.
Both teams have some of the best drivers on the grid. Mercedes has already proven the value of George Russell, and young up-and-comer Kimi Antonelli is quickly growing into his role after his rookie season last year. For Ferrari, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton offer an unmatched level of experience, and their records speak for themselves.
Unfortunately for both teams, since the beginning of the ground effect era, they have both failed to set the world alight. They’ll be hoping that being experienced works teams over a complex change in regulations will bring them the opportunities they need to excel.
Ford: The Return Of The Blue Oval
Photo by: Ford
Ford is returning to F1 for the first time since 2004. Partnering with championship giant Red Bull, the automaker is heavily assisting in the development of the team’s powertrain division, Red Bull Powertrains. The American marque has a lot of experience with hybrid and fully-electric powertrains, but it’s eager to use the series as a test bed to improve its road cars.
It’s fair to say that this is a big step for both Red Bull and Ford. The team relied on Honda for its powertrains in the years leading up to this change, so managing this successful transition is no small feat. 2026 will be a tough year for the Milton Keynes outfit for this reason, but new team principal Laurent Mekies is ready to steer a well-engineered ship through these troubled waters.
Max Verstappen leads the driver lineup, with promising Isack Hadjar sat alongside him for the first time after a successful rookie year in 2025.
Honda: A Promising Powerhouse
Honda was planning on leaving F1, but after its sudden surge in popularity and focus on hybrid technology, it would be silly for the Japanese brand to burn its bridges. Leaving Red Bull at the end of 2025, it now joins Aston Martin under team owner Lawrence Stroll’s regime.
Honda is a tried and tested winner in the championship with its powertrains being some of the best on the grid, and with Stroll’s almost unprecedented investment into his outfit, the stars may well be aligning for the Silverstone-based squad.
Honda joins legend Adrian Newey, with brand new infrastructure and the latest in wind tunnel technology, as well as two-time champion and F1 stalwart Fernando Alonso. There’s no lack of talent, and there’s seemingly little that Stroll can’t buy as they plan to hit the asphalt running this year.
McLaren: Reigning Champions
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
McLaren is staying put with a partnership that has served it well over the last couple of years. Hot on the heels of an incredibly successful 2025, where it won both the constructors’ and drivers’ championships, the Woking outfit will maintain its power unit partnership with Mercedes.
As it turns out, McLaren was able to build a better car around its Mercedes powertrain than Mercedes itself, and with the German unit sounding strong going into next year, McLaren will certainly be one of the favorites.
Reigning champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri make a formidable duo, and the American CEO of McLaren Racing, Zak Brown, is a financial powerhouse. He’s been able to connect the team with enough money to pull it from the back of the grid. Team principal Andrea Stella? He’s a proven team chief.
The only thing that could get in the way now is team orders. The less I say about that, the better.
