Formula One is nearly back for another year, and this season promises to be one that you won’t want to miss. I don’t know about you, but I can’t get enough of the drama. Whether it’s the on-track battles, spicy team radio or just discovering just how my beloved Ferrari can let me down yet again, there’s something so captivating about F1. But what can we look forward to in 2026? I’ll cover everything you need to know.Worried you might not get to see every race this year? Make sure you stick around. I’ll share how Sky Stream makes it easy for you to keep up on all the action, even when you’re travelling outside the UK.
A New Competitive Order
It’s all change in Formula One this year, with the 2026 regulations being described as the biggest overhaul in the sport’s history. The most significant change is the engines, which now deliver considerably more electrical power than before. But the cars are also slightly smaller, feature active aerodynamics to aid overtaking and run on 100% sustainable fuel for the first time.If that all sounds a bit technical, all you really need to know is that it’s likely to result in a significant change to competitive order from 2025. Expect plenty of surprises!
Will McLaren still be the team to beat? Can Red Bull get back to winning ways? Or maybe Ferrari will finally deliver its first championship in nearly 20 years? We’ll only start to get a clearer picture from the opening race in Melbourne on Sunday, 8th March…
Returning Faces and a New Name
For the first time in a decade, F1 sees a new team and two extra cars on the grid. American manufacturer Cadillac makes its long-anticipated debut in the sport in 2026 with two returning drivers who will be very familiar to fans. Red Bull and Mercedes refugees, Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, are back in the driving seat after spending a season on the sidelines. The experienced duo boasts 16 Grands Prix victories between them and is the perfect pairing for a new team. Don’t expect Cadillac to be fighting at the front immediately, but the progress they make throughout the season is likely to be one of the big talking points of 2026.
New Winners from Second-Year Standouts?
2025 saw one of the most impressive rookie classes in years, and expectations are high that they’ll take a further step up this season. In particular, Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar are two names you could hear a lot about this year. Antonelli starts his second season at Mercedes, while Hadjar enjoys a well-earned promotion to Red Bull, albeit in the slightly unenviable position as Max Verstappen’s teammate. Both should be contending for regular podiums or even first-time victories, but don’t forget Ollie Bearman at Haas, too.
The young Brit had some eye-catching results towards the end of last season, and 2026 could be the year he fast-tracks a promotion to Ferrari. Meanwhile, Gabriel Bortoleto hopes to play a key role in moving Audi towards the front of the grid. It’s the German manufacturers’ first year in F1, too, having acquired the Sauber team. They have modest expectations for 2026, but if Audi’s history of success in other motorsport categories is anything to go by, it won’t be long before they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Back-to-Back British Champions?
It doesn’t feel that long ago that Lando Norris claimed his first championship in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2025. He’s sure to be a championship contender again this year, but don’t be surprised if there’s another British name on the trophy by the end of 2026. Mercedes has been many pundits’ pick to be the favourite this season, and lead driver George Russell is expected to set the pace. Russell has won five races since joining Mercedes at the start of 2022, but never had a car capable of fighting for the championship. If 2026 is the year that finally changes, he’d become the 22nd British champion in F1 history. Plus, it’d mean Britain had back-to-back World Championship success for the first time since 2008-2009, when Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button managed it. So, if you’re fed up with regular British disappointment in cricket, tennis or the World Cup, it’s time you started watching F1.
Everyone’s Watching F1 Now – Why Would You Want to Miss Out?
It’s no secret that in recent years, F1 has seen an explosion in interest, in part through Netflix and the F1 Hollywood movie. The sport is more popular than ever, particularly among growing numbers of young and female fans. So, why would you want to miss out on everything that’s lighting up social media every weekend? In any given year, F1 delivers excitement, drama, controversy, colourful characters and memes aplenty. Not to mention all the usual glamour and razzmatazz that comes from a hectic globe-trotting 24-race calendar. But remember: the only place you can catch all the action live is on Sky.
Don’t Miss a Race – Keep Up with All the Action, Even from Outside the UK
In a season as long as this, you’re not always going to be at home to enjoy the race. But being outside the UK doesn’t mean that you have to miss any of the action. Soaking up the sun on a beach in Barbados or travelling to Canada for a cousin’s wedding? No problem. You can still watch every race from anywhere in the world. And it’s all possible through the magic of Sky Stream.
Sky Stream pairs the Sky Stream puck with a plug-and-play VPN router that’s pre-configured and ready out of the box. That’s all you need to watch Sky abroad exactly as if you were back in the UK. No dish, no faff, no complicated tech setups. Just plug in, connect and start streaming worldwide.From F1 obsessives to movie lovers chasing the latest Sky Cinema blockbusters, you can build your dream bundle and stream on up to six devices. Whether you’re in Europe, the Middle East or even out at sea, Sky Stream has you covered with smooth, secure, UK-based streaming, no matter where you’re located.There we have it. Whether you’ve been watching for years or it’s your first season, make sure to check out the channel list and start planning your year. Lights out and away we go!
