The 2026 Formula 1 season kicked off in Melbourne with the first of 24 Grands Prix, on Saturday, March 7. Here’s a look at some highlights.

New Season, New Rules

At the end of the 2025 season, the FIA (International Automobile Federation) implemented dozens of rules aimed at making races more exciting and entertaining. One of the most significant updates is new engine regulation. Power unis are now split evenly, with 50% electric power and 50% internal combustion.

Car aerodynamics have also been improved, with shorter, thinner cars, which affect grip and downforce characteristics.

“I think the new regulations are going to make a much more entertaining race, with a lot more overtakes,” sophomore Manav Patel said.

Rookie Sensation Arvid Lindblad Scores Points in Debut

Arvid Lindblad made his Formula 1 debut on Sunday, March 8, in Melbourne as one of the youngest drivers on the grid. His debut weekend was a brilliant effort, as he gained experience and established himself early during qualifying with the Racing Bulls.

“I was really surprised to see him so far up on the grid at the beginning,” freshman Jake Shuster said. “It was really a great debut for him.”

Lindblad finished eighth, completing his first Grand Prix while holding off experienced drivers, such as world champions Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, for many laps.

Mercedes and Ferrari Push to Front of Grid

Preseason testing in Barcelona and Bahrain, along with the Australian Grand Prix, has shown strong performances from Ferrari, led by Fred Vasseur, and Mercedes, led by Toto Wolfe. Both teams have excelled, clearing the other nine teams in the grid.

Mercedes currently tops the grid, with George Russell winning and Kimi Antonelli finishing second. Ferrari, on the other hand, missed the top spot, placing the team third and fourth.

Can McLaren Stay on Top of Grid?

McLaren entered the season as the reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ Champion, but with the new rules and regulations, Zak Brown’s squad tumbled in the rankings, with the new MCL40 lacking speed and efficiency in both preseason testing and in Melbourne.

After lackluster qualifying, both McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris started fifth and sixth. Piastri wasn’t able to complete his home race due to the rear axle on his car locking up, sending him into a skid. Piastri’s crash occurred during an upshift, showing a lack of refinement in the car gearbox, but with Norris placing fifth, McLaren still scored valuable points for the team.

“Coming off a championship season, and placing fifth is disappointing,” freshman McLaren fan Sam Herring said.

New Team, Familiar Faces

For the first time in a decade, a new team has joined the grid. The Cadillac Formula 1 Team officially completed its first grand prix of the season, unfortunately without points.

The drivers are no strangers to the grid, with Sergio “Checo” Perez, formerly of Red Bull Racing, and Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton’s former teammate at Mercedes, bringing a combined total of over 500 Grand Prix starts.

Unfortunately, Bottas was unable to finish in Melbourne, stalling in the pit lane 15 laps in, and Perez was unable to score points, placing out of the top 10 in his first race back.

Looking Ahead

The Formula 1 season spans 24 races across three locations. Australia was where drivers got the change to set their precedent going forward. They now look to either retain their lead, or take the glory for themselves and their team in upcoming rounds in China and Japan.