The 2026 Formula 1 season represents one of the biggest resets in modern F1 history. With all-new technical regulations, revised power unit rules, and significant driver market shifts, teams are effectively starting from a clean sheet.
Below is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2026 F1 grid — including race drivers, team principals, reserve drivers, and key changes versus 2025.
Red Bull Racing
Drivers (2026): Max Verstappen, Isack Hadjar
Team Principal: Christian Horner
Reserve Driver: Liam Lawson
What’s changed:
Red Bull enters 2026 with a new driver pairing after a turbulent 2025. Isack Hadjar replaces Yuki Tsunoda, becoming Verstappen’s latest team-mate. The season also marks Red Bull’s first full campaign under the Red Bull Powertrains–Ford banner, making reliability and engine integration one of the biggest question marks.
Mercedes
Drivers (2026): George Russell, Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Team Principal: Toto Wolff
Reserve Driver: Mick Schumacher
What’s changed:
Mercedes commits fully to youth by pairing Russell with rookie Antonelli after Lewis Hamilton’s departure. The Silver Arrows are widely viewed as one of the strongest engine manufacturers heading into the new regulations, placing huge expectations on their driver line-up.
Ferrari
Drivers (2026): Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton
Team Principal: Frédéric Vasseur
Reserve Driver: Oliver Bearman
What’s changed:
The biggest headline remains Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, forming one of the most high-profile driver pairings in F1 history. Ferrari hopes Hamilton’s experience will be decisive in navigating the 2026 regulation reset.
McLaren
Drivers (2026): Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri
Team Principal: Andrea Stella
Reserve Driver: Alex Dunne
What’s changed:
Stability. After winning the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, McLaren retains its driver line-up and leadership structure. The focus is on continuity and translating momentum into the new ruleset.
Aston Martin
Drivers (2026): Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll
Team Principal: Andy Cowell
Reserve Driver: Felipe Drugovich
What’s changed:
The biggest shift is technical rather than personnel. Adrian Newey now plays a central role in Aston Martin’s 2026 car architecture, while Honda power arrives in 2026 — potentially transforming the team’s competitiveness.
Alpine
Drivers (2026): Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto
Team Principal: Bruno Famin
Reserve Driver: Paul Aron
What’s changed:
Alpine sticks with Gasly while backing youth alongside him. More significantly, the team abandons Renault engines and becomes a Mercedes customer, ending Renault’s long F1 power unit legacy.
Williams
Drivers (2026): Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon
Team Principal: James Vowles
Reserve Driver: Luke Browning
What’s changed:
Williams fields one of the grid’s most balanced line-ups with Sainz’s race-winning experience complementing Albon’s consistency. Stability is the team’s key asset heading into 2026.
Sauber (Audi project)
Drivers (2026): Nico Hülkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto
Team Principal: Jonathan Wheatley
Reserve Driver: Theo Pourchaire
What’s changed:
2026 is a transition year before Audi’s full works entry in 2027. Sauber blends experience with youth while laying foundations for the future.
Racing Bulls
Drivers (2026): Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad
Team Principal: Laurent Mekies
Reserve Driver: Ayumu Iwasa
What’s changed:
Racing Bulls doubles down on youth, giving Lindblad his F1 debut. The team continues its role as Red Bull’s development platform.
Cadillac F1 Team
Drivers (2026): Valtteri Bottas, Sergio Perez
Team Principal: Graeme Lowdon
Reserve Driver: Jak Crawford
What’s changed:
Cadillac becomes F1’s newest team, opting for experience over youth. Bottas and Perez bring over 500 combined race starts, aimed at accelerating development during the team’s debut season.
What Makes 2026 Different From 2025?
The changes go beyond driver swaps:
- New power unit rules with greater electrical output
- Smaller, lighter cars
- Audi, Honda, and Ford involvement reshaping manufacturer influence
- More rookies entering F1 than in recent seasons
The result is a grid where previous performance means very little, and adaptability will decide success.
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