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F1 2026

PTR

PTR

Striker
Formula 1 2026 Calendar

DateGrand PrixVenue
6–8 MarchAustralian Grand PrixMelbourne
13–15 MarchChinese Grand Prix (Sprint)Shanghai
27–29 MarchJapanese Grand PrixSuzuka
10–12 AprilBahrain Grand PrixSakhir
17–19 AprilSaudi Arabian Grand PrixJeddah
1–3 MayMiami Grand Prix (Sprint)Miami
22–24 MayCanadian Grand Prix (Sprint)Montreal
5–7 JuneMonaco Grand PrixMonaco
12–14 JuneBarcelona Grand PrixBarcelona-Catalunya
26–28 JuneAustrian Grand PrixSpielberg
3–5 JulyBritish Grand Prix (Sprint)Silverstone
17–19 JulyBelgian Grand PrixSpa-Francorchamps
24–26 JulyHungarian Grand PrixBudapest
21–23 AugustDutch Grand Prix (Sprint)Zandvoort
4–6 SeptemberItalian Grand PrixMonza
11–13 SeptemberSpanish Grand PrixMadrid
24–26 SeptemberAzerbaijan Grand PrixBaku
9–11 OctoberSingapore Grand Prix (Sprint)Singapore
23–25 OctoberUnited States Grand PrixAustin
30 October–1 NovemberMexican Grand PrixMexico City
6–8 NovemberSão Paulo Grand PrixSão Paulo
19–21 NovemberLas Vegas Grand PrixLas Vegas
27–29 NovemberQatar Grand PrixLusail
4–6 DecemberAbu Dhabi Grand PrixYas Marina

Driver Line Ups
Red Bull: Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton
Williams: Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon
Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll
Haas: Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman
Audi: Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto
Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto
Cadillac: Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas

New Regulations for 2026
  • Smaller & Lighter: Cars get shorter (20cm), narrower (10cm), with a shorter wheelbase (3400mm) and reduced floor width, cutting weight by 30kg to a minimum of 768kg.
  • Active Aero: Movable front and rear wings replace DRS, with "Z-mode" for cornering downforce and "X-mode" for straight-line speed.
  • Reduced Downforce/Drag: Aiming for 30% less downforce and 55% less drag for better racing.
  • Narrower Tires: 18-inch wheels remain, but front tires are 25mm narrower, rears 30mm narrower.
  • 50/50 Split: Balanced power between the V6 internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric power.
  • Sustainable Fuel: 100% sustainable fuels will be used.
  • Boosted Electric Power: Significantly more electrical power for the MGU-K (braking recovery).
  • MGU-H Removed: Simplifies the engine and lowers costs for new manufacturers.
  • Manual Override: A strategic "overtake button" for extra electric power.
  • Enhanced Safety: Stronger crash structures, improved side intrusion protection, and two-stage nose design.
  • More Overtaking: Changes aim to make cars more capable of following closely, reducing "dirty air".
Nice summary video
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And then in recent news, changes made to the regs in recent weeks
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And if you want to know more about the "engine"? Well, its never been more valid to snub the term "engine" in favour of "Power Unit"
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Who are we picking then? I've got absolutely no idea - new aero, new engines, new EV elements - its a total reset. I have a sneaky feeling Aston will do well, and Williams could find themselves in the top half rather than the midfield.

The more I hear about the PU and Active Aero systems, the more I think its become very gimmicky though. Press this button, then that one, then the other - doesn't seem like racing to me. And race control will be constantly farting on with which aero options you can use at any given time.
But fingers crossed for good racing, despite it all
 

asl02 said:
Singapore for me 😎

Got a good feeling about Aston Martin this year me.
Click to expand...

Have ya been before? Amazing! Albeit humid to make your sweat sweat haha. Worth it tho. I'd go back for sure. Love night races!

Montreal or Austin maybe for us, maybe something in Europe in between.

I have no idea who will come top trumps this year, stuck with Hamilton forever, but not sure if he will even do this season, I have a feeling he is working up to jacking it in!? Need someone else to follow maybe.
 
chunkyshanhawk53 said:
I’ve never managed a race before, so going to do in 2026.

Any tips? Costs?

Had a look at Azerbaijan but tickets are a grand, is that the going rate?
Click to expand...

About a grand is a safe bet for full weekend tickets in a general grandstand, maybe some are cheaper mind, others can confirm!

Take a look at YouTube videos as well to see the grandstand you chose to make sure it isn't shite! Check hotels and flights first too as some go nuts, others not so much (maybe as there's more availability?)
 
I think the big 4 will still be at the top next season.

I expect Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes and Ferrari to dominate both the drivers and constructors titles.

No idea who will win mind. We need to see the new cars first.
 
would be nice for LH to win an 8th and put all the 2021 debate to bed..

Newey at Aston Martin is decent...

I hate Max but have to applaud him this season gone...some great drives, so he'll be in the hunt.

lots of change so we'll see..
 
Sleepy said:
About a grand is a safe bet for full weekend tickets in a general grandstand, maybe some are cheaper mind, others can confirm!

Take a look at YouTube videos as well to see the grandstand you chose to make sure it isn't shite! Check hotels and flights first too as some go nuts, others not so much (maybe as there's more availability?)
Click to expand...
Thanks. Any tips on specific races? The must do or must not do? City track or out of town track?
 
Sleepy said:
Have ya been before? Amazing! Albeit humid to make your sweat sweat haha. Worth it tho. I'd go back for sure. Love night races!

Montreal or Austin maybe for us, maybe something in Europe in between.

I have no idea who will come top trumps this year, stuck with Hamilton forever, but not sure if he will even do this season, I have a feeling he is working up to jacking it in!? Need someone else to follow maybe.
Click to expand...
Not yet mate. Went to Budapest and Zandvoort this year though. Looking forward to it like, sprint weekend as well.
 
chunkyshanhawk53 said:
Thanks. Any tips on specific races? The must do or must not do? City track or out of town track?
Click to expand...

Singapore is absolutely amazing. Flights are plenty as well as it's a popular place! BA had some cracking deals on when we went. It was VERY humid, but the whole atmosphere was amazing and Singapore is a class place anyway. We were in the Orange @ Empress stand and it was really good, class views just before they fly over the bridge.

Vegas - we thought was absolutely shite. All about the money. Usually you can get a ticket and you can roam freely to go see entertainment etc, not with Vegas, locked into specific areas which all have their own entertainment. All the VIP stages/areas. Could not see any big screens where we were either, no roof as well and it was RAINING for P1/P2 and Quali. Luckily no rain for the race but it was bloody cold! We were in the "Lewis Hamilton Grand Stand" - unsure why it was branded that way as it was mixed and no ref to LH anywhere!! Views blocked by a bridge as well which was a constant ferry of busses and cars taking VIP's to/from wherever. Would not go back.

Abu Dhabi - Really good crack - last race of the season as well so can be handy if it's gone to the wire. Weather is always gonna be good, not too humid that time of year either, great weather. You can rent places on boats there if you wish and just use the general roaming. Or you can use the grandstands as per other ones.

Silverstone - Enjoyed it a lot, home GP etc... weather was crap, but not enough to spoil it and we were covered anyway in the grandstand (Abbey B this time) so all good! Straight opposite the pits, so depending where you are in the stand you will see more/less of the teams. (Across a wall so not a perfect full view, but good enough!)

So there is a mix of city and out of town really. Preference for me...city (Singapore) as you are right amongst it when you come out and have loads of bars/restaurants etc. Silverstone, nothing really around the immediate area, but not too far away I suppose. Abu Dhabi, not too far away from the city, but plenty of places on Yas Island to enjoy. Singapore feels a more genuine race to me, Abu Dhabi feels more fake.

We made a holiday out of the Singapore one as well as you can get really good deals on cruises if you want to go see the race and have time in Singapore and do a cruise to Malaysia, Thailand etc... so thats worth putting into your mind if it helps?!

Reading that back, kinda inconclusive I suppose 😂
asl02 said:
Not yet mate. Went to Budapest and Zandvoort this year though. Looking forward to it like, sprint weekend as well.
Click to expand...

Class mate, you will enjoy it! Such a class buzz about an already amazing place!

What were Budapest and Zandvoort like? Recommend? Nice and close really so could tick those off!
 
Last edited:
Sleepy said:
Singapore is absolutely amazing. Flights are plenty as well as it's a popular place! BA had some cracking deals on when we went. It was VERY humid, but the whole atmosphere was amazing and Singapore is a class place anyway. We were in the Orange @ Empress stand and it was really good, class views just before they fly over the bridge.

Vegas - we thought was absolutely shite. All about the money. Usually you can get a ticket and you can roam freely to go see entertainment etc, not with Vegas, locked into specific areas which all have their own entertainment. All the VIP stages/areas. Could not see any big screens where we were either, no roof as well and it was RAINING for P1/P2 and Quali. Luckily no rain for the race but it was bloody cold! We were in the "Lewis Hamilton Grand Stand" - unsure why it was branded that way as it was mixed and no ref to LH anywhere!! Views blocked by a bridge as well which was a constant ferry of busses and cars taking VIP's to/from wherever. Would not go back.

Abu Dhabi - Really good crack - last race of the season as well so can be handy if it's gone to the wire. Weather is always gonna be good, not too humid that time of year either, great weather. You can rent places on boats there if you wish and just use the general roaming. Or you can use the grandstands as per other ones.

Silverstone - Enjoyed it a lot, home GP etc... weather was crap, but not enough to spoil it and we were covered anyway in the grandstand (Abbey B this time) so all good! Straight opposite the pits, so depending where you are in the stand you will see more/less of the teams. (Across a wall so not a perfect full view, but good enough!)

So there is a mix of city and out of town really. Preference for me...city (Singapore) as you are right amongst it when you come out and have loads of bars/restaurants etc. Silverstone, nothing really around the immediate area, but not too far away I suppose. Abu Dhabi, not too far away from the city, but plenty of places on Yas Island to enjoy. Singapore feels a more genuine race to me, Abu Dhabi feels more fake.

We made a holiday out of the Singapore one as well as you can get really good deals on cruises if you want to go see the race and have time in Singapore and do a cruise to Malaysia, Thailand etc... so thats worth putting into your mind if it helps?!

Reading that back, kinda inconclusive I suppose 😂


Class mate, you will enjoy it! Such a class buzz about an already amazing place!

What were Budapest and Zandvoort like? Recommend? Nice and close really so could tick those off!
Click to expand...
That’s a brilliant post, thank you very much
 
chunkyshanhawk53 said:
I’ve never managed a race before, so going to do in 2026.

Any tips? Costs?

Had a look at Azerbaijan but tickets are a grand, is that the going rate?
Click to expand...
As above, I done Budapest and Zandvoort this year and all in each were about a grand for 3 nights. Think they’re the cheapest on the calendar.

Budapest - had a mint time, would definitely go back. Track is a metro then a train away from the city, bit of a nightmare getting home afterwards due to crowds but nothing unexpected. Would recommend, I even got on the track after the race for the podium.

Zandvoort - about half an hour away on the train from Amsterdam, trains running every 10 minutes from central station. It’s a coastal town (I compared it to Whitby at the time on this years thread) so the place itself I wouldn’t say there’s much there. I think Dutch people are great craic but not sure I’d go back there tbh. Was a pretty cool experience being in the arena grandstands though.
Sleepy said:
What were Budapest and Zandvoort like? Recommend? Nice and close really so could tick those off!
Click to expand...
Just posted above about them but didn’t see your reply 😂
 
I'm hoping (and expecting) a bit of a shake up with the new regulations coming into effect.

Should be plenty of gains to be made throughout the season too, rather than the natural diminishing returns we've seen as the previous set of regs came to an end. Can't wait!
 
asl02 said:
As above, I done Budapest and Zandvoort this year and all in each were about a grand for 3 nights. Think they’re the cheapest on the calendar.

Budapest - had a mint time, would definitely go back. Track is a metro then a train away from the city, bit of a nightmare getting home afterwards due to crowds but nothing unexpected. Would recommend, I even got on the track after the race for the podium.

Zandvoort - about half an hour away on the train from Amsterdam, trains running every 10 minutes from central station. It’s a coastal town (I compared it to Whitby at the time on this years thread) so the place itself I wouldn’t say there’s much there. I think Dutch people are great craic but not sure I’d go back there tbh. Was a pretty cool experience being in the arena grandstands though.

Just posted above about them but didn’t see your reply 😂
Click to expand...

Cheers mate! May have a look at Budapest if can make the dates work.
 
chunkyshanhawk53 said:
I’ve never managed a race before, so going to do in 2026.

Any tips? Costs?

Had a look at Azerbaijan but tickets are a grand, is that the going rate?
Click to expand...
Been a few years since I went but Spa was incredible. People in our campsite were a right laugh and some good spots to watch the racing. Did Monza the week after and was disappointing in comparison didn't have anywhere near a warm and welcoming feeling.
 
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