In March, the 2026 Formula 1 (F1) season begins, and it’s gearing up to be an uncertain one. With new car construction regulations and a new team on the grid, anything could happen. The Varsity breaks down what we might see this year on the track, and the biggest questions left to be answered

McLaren

They took home both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships last year, even with many team conflicts. Can they maintain their dominance?

In 2025, Lando Norris narrowly won his first championship, only two points ahead of second-place Max Verstappen. Can he keep first place this year?

Oscar Piastri came in third, finishing only 13 points behind Norris last year. Will this year be the year he wins his first Drivers’ Championship?

Mercedes

The team fared well with rookie wunderkind Kimi Antonelli replacing GOAT (in my opinion) Lewis Hamilton, finishing second as a team last year. Can they continue this momentum?

Though the more senior George Russel finished in fourth, ahead of Antonelli in seventh, can he maintain this separation and avoid being overshadowed by the hot new thing?

Antonelli broke rookie records. Will he break Russel?

Red Bull

Last year, they fired the controversial but highly competent team principal, Christian Horner. How will replacement Laurent Mekies continue to lead, and can he fix the second seat curse?

Verstappen broke his championship streak last year and lost his fifth one. Can he return to his former glory? 

Rookie Isaac Hadjar was promoted from Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls. Will he be the one to overcome the second seat curse?

Ferrari

With notoriously bad previous seasons, will this year finally be Ferrari’s year? 

The only thing Charles Leclerc has going for him is his girlfriend-turned-influencer-turned-fiancée-turned-wife, Alexandra Saint Mleux-turned-Leclerc. Can he finally win his first championship?

The devil works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder. With Lewis Hamilton allegedly dating Kim Kardashian, will her mother help him finally win his elusive eighth championship?

Williams

The team focused their 2025 energy on 2026 for the new regs. Will it be worth it?

Even though Carlos Sainz was sacked from Ferrari, he still managed to bag an impressive two podium finishes last year with his new team. Can he keep it up? 

Although Alex Albon was overshadowed by Sainz last year, at least he recently got engaged to his pro-golfer girlfriend, Lily Muni He! Can Albon come out of Sainz’s shadow this year?

Racing Bulls 

The Red Bull sister team that harbours rejects and rookies. Can the team stand on its own? 

Liam Lawson was demoted from Red Bull to this team earlier last season. Can he be promoted again? 

As the youngest race winner in Formula 2 history last year, Arvid Lindblad will make his F1 debut. How will he fare in this new environment?

Aston Martin

Over the winter break, the team has been working on its new Honda power unit and sweeping controversies under the rug. 

The two-time world champion, Fernando Alonso, remains on his never-ending 20-year quest to win his third championship. Will he finally retire after this year, at 45 years old?

Lance Stroll’s daddy bought him the team, but he’s still mid. Will he quit and let someone else take his spot?

Haas

The team is no longer the only American team on the grid, with Cadillac joining the fray. Can they achieve something to stand out?

Esteban Ocon’s girlfriend, Flavy Barla, is a former Miss Côte d’Azur and is currently in medical school. Can he match her?

Ollie Bearman finished one place ahead of Ocon last year. Can he impress enough to have a shot at a Ferrari seat?

Audi

Audi took over Kick Sauber. How will they fare with new management and regulations?

Nico Hülkenberg finally achieved his first podium last year, making history as the driver with the most races before a champagne spray at 239 races. Was that his peak?

Gabriel Bortoleto finished third-to-last in the previous season as an F1 rookie, after being the F2 and F3 back-to-back champion. Will he continue to be stuck at the back of the grid? 

Alpine

It’s not surprising that this shady team has recently gotten shadier. Can they improve from their last-place finish?

Last year, Pierre Gasly improved his hairline with an alleged hair transplant but finished fourth-to-last. Can he improve his racing?

Popular Franco Colapinto replaced Jack Doohan mid-way through last year, but tied him for dead last with 0 points. Will he, too, be replaced?

Cadillac

The brand-new American team will debut this season with a veteran driver lineup. Will they surprise us or sink to the bottom of the grid?

Sergio Perez was an unfortunate victim of the Red Bull second seat curse, leaving the team at the end of 2024. Can he prove himself with a new team?

While Valtteri Bottas was known as Hamilton’s right-hand man during their glory days at Mercedes, he’s now better known for his Bottass or Buttas, whichever you prefer. Can he be known for something else?