Formula 1 before the start of the season
These drivers are chasing the world champion
March 6, 2026 – 10:36 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
In the 2026 season, 22 drivers will compete in Formula 1. These pilots want to win the world title.
24 Grand Prix in 273 days. From the start in Melbourne on March 8th to the finale in Abu Dhabi on December 6th. Formula 1 is starting the new season after its rule revolution.
From now on, cars will be shorter, narrower and lighter. In the future, only a good 50 percent of the engines will be powered by combustion engines and will also be fired with completely sustainable fuel – the rest will be supplied by the battery. In addition, the aerodynamics of the cars are new because the previously specially shaped underbody is now flat again. All of this could shift the balance of power and create surprises.
It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who the favorites are. Defending world champion McLaren with world driver champion Lando Norris and Red Bull with four-time champion Max Verstappen made a good impression in the test drives. But Mercedes and Ferrari also seem to have built competitive cars.
Fans have to adapt to many new terms such as boost, overtake and recharge. These are different modes in the car. If the driver presses the boost button, he can access the maximum power of the drive. Depending on the racing situation, this mode can be used to attempt overtaking or for defense. The overtake mode, on the other hand, is exclusively an overtaking aid. If a driver is within a second of a competitor, additional power can be called upon at a certain point on the track, usually the last corner.
Recharge, in turn, describes the mode for recharging the battery – the conscious generation of energy for overtake or boost use. Drivers do this, for example, by braking or taking off the accelerator at the end of a long straight. In most cases, charging occurs automatically for drivers using predetermined, selectable charging targets. However, you can also intervene manually and override the automatic system.
There are also more drivers vying for the world title this year than before. With the entry of the Cadillac racing team, there are now eleven teams and therefore 22 instead of 20 drivers. This includes a completely new face and two returnees. You can see who it is in the photo show above or here.
