The 2026 Formula 1 season gets back up and running this weekend, with opening round action taking place at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia. The season will comprise of 24 races from across the world, starting in Melbourne this weekend and finishing up in Abu Dhabi in December.
Predictions from pundits and experts alike are completely varying, so it is hard to see who the clear favourite is ahead of the first race. However, after a successful pre-season test, it does seem like George Russell and Mercedes are the most popular option, while also being the bookies’ favourite.
Lando Norris and McLaren will look to defend their respective Driver and Constructor championships, but with an entirely new set of regulations introduced for 2026, it remains to be seen who will come out on top. Hometown hero Oscar Piastri will aim to ruin the party for defending champion Norris and win his home race for the first time.
Though it is hard to ever look past Max Verstappen and Red Bull, who will be looking to get back on top after losing out on the Driver’s title by a mere two points on the last day of the season. After arguably having the fourth fastest car at some points throughout last season, the four-time world champion has the ability and mindset drag his car to the top of the podium.
Ferrari will also aim to be among the top contenders after a poor season last year. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will hope their famous red car will be more agreeable than it was last year.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain practically solidified the top four teams in Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull, but also displayed the team most in trouble which is Aston Martin. Surprisingly so, after bringing in Formula 1 legend Adrian Newey to design their car. Though much can change from testing, Aston Martin’s issues seem to be serious.
It will be the first time in over a decade that there are eleven different teams on the grid, with Cadillac joining in 2026, and the American team brings back two veterans in Valtteri Bottas and Checo Perez to drive for them. Audi is also a new name to Formula 1, but they are taking over from Sauber ahead of the new season.
Irishman Alex Dunne recently announced that he will join the Alpine Drivers Academy after leaving McLaren last year. Dunne will look to impress in his second season in Formula 2, with the aim of promotion to Formula 1 with Alpine.
With a new set of regulations in store for the coming season, and the loss of the overtaking element of DRS (Drag Reduction System), the 2026 season is set to be an interesting one to say the least. Formula 1 is usually a hard sport to predict, but with several changes ahead of the new season, it is sure to be a difficult one to call.
The first race of the season from Melbourne gets underway for Irish fans at the early time of 04.00 this Sunday, 8 March.