F1’s 77th season is set to begin in just a few weeks. For new fans, this is a great opportunity to tune in to what is surely going to be a tight, unpredictable racing season.
However, between the fast-paced nature of the sport and its long, iconic history, it can be hard to understand where to start with this season’s wider storylines.
Here’s a snapshot into some the trends and surprises to look forward to from ‘the pinnacle of motorsport’ this year.
New Challengers Emerge
For the first time in ten years, the Formula 1 grid will feature 11 different teams or constructors. This is thanks to the new addition of the American Cadillac Formula 1 Team. They will be racing against iconic heritage brands such as Scuderia Ferrari HP, who have been racing in the league since its inception in 1950.
Audi Revolut F1 Team, another new constructor this year with German origins, has rebranded what was formerly known as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. Stake raced for the past two years and ended near the bottom of the Constructors’ standings last year.
With new regulations going into affect this season regarding how each car can be built, these newer teams now have a greater chance to stand up and competing against the long-established giants of the league.
Around the World and Back
Nowadays, an F1 season consists of roughly 24 races per year. These circuits are found all around the world, with some, such as the Circuit de Monaco, having long, rich histories in the world of motorsport.
This year, a new circuit in Barajas, Spain will be debuting for the first time on the Formula 1 calendar. The Madring adds a second Spanish circuit into the schedule, with the first being the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
The hybrid, street-like circuit will feature 22 corners, a banked turn, and several high-speed sections, perfect for quick racing action.
Going Down in History
The most decorated driver in all of F1 history, Lewis Hamilton, will be entering his 20th year racing this season. With seven World Drivers’ Championships and a record-setting 105 race wins under his belt, Hamilton is undoubtedly one of the best drivers to ever do it.
However, his fellow competitor this year, Max Verstappen, is third in the ranking of most races won in F1 history, and he is only entering his 12th year. He, alongside other younger competitors, such as Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Kimi Antonelli, are shaping out to become legends in their own right later after having great early-career seasons.
Building a Better Champion
While it takes extreme expertise to drive race cars around tight corners and overtake other drivers on narrow tracks, much of what makes a Formula 1 champion comes from behind the scenes. The engineers, strategists, and pit crew of a car matter just as much as the driver in it.
For this reason, Formula 1 features a World Constructors’ Championship as well as a World Drivers’ Championship, awarded to the team with the most points coming in from both of their prize-winning cars.
Historically, heritage franchises like Ferrari, McLaren, and Williams have dominated the Constructors’ Cup, but with new teams emerging and new car specification requirements applied this year, it’s possible a new team emerges as the victor in this year’s Constructors’ Championship.
As preseason testing comes to an end and drivers and fans alike get their first glimpses of the 2026 cars, this season is bound to be a good one. New regulation cycles come around only once every four to five years, and with it, shake ups up and down the standings are inevitable.
Last season, we saw Lando Norris win the World Drivers’ Championship and take home the Constructors’ Cup alongside his teammate Oscar Piastri. This broke the four-year winning streak of Max Verstappen, but only barely, as he placed just second in the standings.
This year, with the new regulations, the new teams, and possibly a new dynasty emerging, the season is sure to be one for the books.
Leave a Reply