The time has come for motorsport fans across the world to hear the words they’ve been anxiously waiting for: “It’s lights out at the Australian Grand Prix, and the 2026 Formula One season is now underway!”
After what felt like a prolonged offseason, eleven Constructors (teams) are gearing up for what may be the biggest overhaul in the sport’s history, from sweeping new regulations to the arrival of brand new teams. In a time where American viewership for the sport has skyrocketed, racing enthusiasts at HPHS have voiced their excitement for the monumental amount of changes to come this season.
American automaker Cadillac enters Formula One (F1) as the eleventh and newest Constructor on the grid, with veterans Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas rounding out their lineup. They are the first Constructor to join as a new and completely independent team since Haas in 2016. HPHS senior and long-time F1 fan Fin Nuñez expressed his excitement for the new team, as well as Bottas’ and Perez’s return.
“[Cadillac is] pairing two of my personal favorite drivers, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. These guys have both had their own history of being overshadowed by their teammates at their respective former teams, and now that they are on their own team, they can finally see some action that may shed some light on how they really are as drivers.”
German automobile magnate and racing powerhouse Audi has also completed their long-awaited entrance into the pinnacle of motorsport, but acquired what was formerly Kick Sauber.
Some of the most notable regulation changes this year include alterations to cars’ power units, their dimensions, and their aerodynamics. In accordance with the sport’s effort to reduce its carbon footprint, this year’s fuel is 100% sustainable, with half consisting of electrical power and the other half utilizing internal combustion. Cars have also become slightly shorter, narrower, and lighter. With two weeks of preseason testing in Bahrain and the first race of the season now complete, we’ve been able to get a sneak peek at the technological advancements teams have made!
Who’s looking strong?
The Drag Reduction System (DRS), which has long been a subject of controversy in the F1 landscape, has been eliminated in favor of active front and rear wings, as well the new “Overtake Mode.” This new mode supplies extra electrical power to a pursuing car that is within one second of a car in front at a designated detection point.
However, this didn’t stop Ferrari, whose engineers employed a brilliant rear wing mechanism that allowed the wing to rotate a full 180 degrees. By doing so, the car can reduce drag and increase its top speed by a few kilometers per hour–small but crucial in a sport that comes down to the tenths or hundredths of a second. It will be interesting to see if the mechanism will be banned or not, but it has allowed driver Charles Leclerc to post the fastest lap time during all of preseason testing.
The one exception to Ferrari’s strong car development is that it could foster an in-team rivalry. HPHS sophomore Ryan Kim noted that Ferrari “might have a competitive car” this year, and with “two experienced drivers, solid pace, and clean racing, it could force the team to make unfair decisions.”
Likewise, Mercedes seems to have developed a formidable power unit that allowed them to complete the most laps out of any team and put driver Kimi Antonelli in close second behind Leclerc. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen expressed his belief that Mercedes was “sandbagging,” or intentionally running its car at below 100 percent, in order to avoid any rule changes that may eliminate their supposed advantage. Antonelli finished second at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend behind none other than his teammate, George Russell, giving the Mercedes a strong 1-2 start to the season.
Lastly, Red Bull has been falling behind the rest of the lead pack, but one thing–or rather, one driver–has kept them in strong contention. It goes without saying that Max Verstappen—who almost pulled off an improbable comeback after falling 100 points behind eventual 2025 world champion Lando Norris—will remain as one of the favorites coming into this season. As arguably the best driver in the entire field, all he needs is a strong and reliable enough car in order to give both himself and the team a shot at claiming either championship trophy.
Who’s struggling?
Williams, who has decided to push their development to extreme limits, missed the entirety of the Barcelona Shakedown due to delays in building their car. The car also failed initial safety tests, and it started the season slightly overweight. It will be exciting to see if their gamble will pay off, but they have lots of catching up to do.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Aston Martin, who has been experiencing an absolute disaster of a start to the season. Plagued by power unit issues, the team completed only six laps on the final day of testing, and both drivers DNFed in Melbourne. Although they have the most upside out of any team by starting at rock bottom, they will need to resolve these issues quickly if they want to have any shot at the Constructors’ championship race.
Hopes for this season
With all the new developments that teams are adapting to, it’s impossible to predict anything with certainty. A team like Audi could continue their gradual rise-up and give seasoned teams like McLaren or Mercedes a run for their money, or it might be time for a team like Haas or Racing Bulls to achieve breakthrough performances. In fact, Caleb Haggarty–a long-time fan of Carlos Sainz– believes that this is Sainz’s year to make a statement.
“Sainz had a great season with Williams with a bunch of podium finishes and wins, and I’m hoping he can improve on a great season with an even bigger breakthrough.”
On the drivers’ side, Lewis Hamilton could have a strong enough car to claim a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship–but McLaren driver Oscar Piastri could also complete his revenge tour to claim the championship trophy that slipped from his grasp last year.
For now, however, it’s time for fans to buckle up and prepare for almost nine months of high-octane action, as Melbourne has set the stage for a season destined to redefine the sport!