Featured Image Credit: Kym Illman / Contributor via Getty Images
Topics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Motorsport, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, McLaren
James Taylor
Topics: Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, Motorsport, Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing, McLaren
There will be drastically different regulations in Formula 1 next season as the 2026 calendar is released.
The 24-race schedule was announced today, with the season starting at the Australian GP on the weekend of 6 to 8 March and concluding in Abu Dhabi on 4 to 6 December.
The only new circuit is Madrid, with the rave scheduled for 11 to 13 September.
It will replace the Emilia-Romagna GP, but Spain will still have two races, as the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya remains.
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As the FIA attempt to tackle carbon emissions through reducing transport, the European section of the calendar will be uninterrupted for the first time.
From the Monaco GP in the first weekend of June, through to the new Madrid GP in September, F1 will not leave the continent.
It will include the British GP, which is scheduled for the 3 to 5 July.
Next season will be the biggest shake-up in F1 regulations ever, with changes for aerodynamics, chassis and the engine, with cars set to become 30kg lighter.
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Power units will also have to be redesigned to have a 50-50 split in the output between the internal combustion engine and electricity.
This is a significant increase on the current electrical level, where power units only use around 20% of electricity.
But it is all part of F1's aim to become more environmentally friendly, with next season's electrical output powered entirely by sustainable fuels.
It is currently anticipated that Mercedes are in the best position with next season's engine regulations.
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At the end of April, a vote was expected to take place over a potential change to the power units for next season.
But it did not happen, with Mercedes' team principal Toto Wolff labelling it a 'joke'.
There are also significant changes to aerodynamics, with a new system set to be introduced to replace DRS.
Drivers will have a Z-mode to utilise while cornering, whilst X-mode will help with straight-line speed.
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Lewis Hamilton, a six-time world champion was sceptical about the changes for next season.
He told Sky Italia: “I don’t think it’s going in the right direction, personally.
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“Maybe I’ll be surprised next year. Maybe we arrive and the cars are really nice.”
Hamilton has struggled so far this season after leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari, with a sprint race victory in China the only highlight.
“With the direction we’re going, we’re going slower," he added.
"The cars are getting heavier.
“I mean, next year, I guess they are getting lighter, but this generation of car is the heaviest car that I’ve raced.”