The storylines that will define F1 in 2026 as it enters a new era

"As a result, F1 will look and feel radically different in 2026. Under the new rules, the cars themselves will be shorter, thinner, lighter and nimbler, with the stated aim of creating better racing. Pirelli is still supplying 18-inch tires, but they're narrower. And, perhaps the best bit of news for haters of the last generation of cars, is a simplification of things across the board."

"Beneath the bodywork, the new engine rules were enough to convince Red Bull to partner with Ford to build their own, convinced Audi to join as a fully fledged manufacturer by taking over the Sauber team, and saw General Motors promise to have the new Cadillac team race race with American-made engines by the end of the decade. That all sounds great on the surface, but there are some concerns."

2025 closed Formula 1's contentious ground-effect era and exposed deteriorating wheel-to-wheel racing despite a tight championship battle. 2026 introduces a complete aerodynamic and engine regulation overhaul to foster better on-track competition. New cars are shorter, thinner, lighter and more nimble, with narrower 18-inch Pirelli tyres, flatter floors, larger sidepod openings and simpler front and rear wings. Engine rule changes enticed Red Bull to partner with Ford, prompted Audi to become a manufacturer via Sauber, and led General Motors to promise American-made engines for Cadillac. Some concerns remain as complexity shifts toward drivers and their simulators.

Read at ESPN.com