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2026 Formula One Season Thread
- Thread starter The-Real-Deal82
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CWallace
macrumors G5
Funny thing is, more and more it looks like Mercedes' trick requires fairly higher temps than what the FIA has proposed so even if it goes through, their engine will likely still pass the test without needing to make any modifications so they still will be able to run their higher compression ratio.
CWallace
macrumors G5
Sensible. Based on the claim it can take up to 20 seconds for the turbo to fully spool, this will still favor the Q3 qualifiers (who will be able to start spooling the turbo once they are in position), but it will hopefully prevent carnage amongst the Q1 folks in the back.
CWallace
macrumors G5
Ferrari is really pushing the envelope with their aero. Most teams open the two rear wing flaps when in Active Aero mode to emulate traditional DRS. Alpine lays both flaps down, reducing the overall frontal area. Ferrari, meanwhile, said "hold my Chianti" and rotates the flaps 225 degrees so it is upside down and facing rearward.
This is believed to generate some amount of lift to counter airflow wake coming off the rear wing mainplane element to reduce drag even more. And when reverting to "normal" configuration during braking, it will momentarily generate a shedload of frontal area to help slow the car.
This is believed to generate some amount of lift to counter airflow wake coming off the rear wing mainplane element to reduce drag even more. And when reverting to "normal" configuration during braking, it will momentarily generate a shedload of frontal area to help slow the car.
CWallace
macrumors G5
More possible headaches for AMG-powered teams.
Petronas is scrambling to get their "official" synthetic race fuel certified prior to Melbourne. With 2026, the FIA has outsourced the testing of fuel to a third-party (British company Zemo) who will not only certify the fuel itself is sustainable, but will also validate the entire production process. This takes significantly more time than the 2025 rules and Petronus and Zemo are still working everything out.
Petronas does have a certified "provisional" fuel, so there is no concern that AMG-powered cars would not be able to take the grid at Melbourne, but this earlier specification of fuel will likely not be as good as the final "official" spec and therefore the cars would see a performance shortfall.
www.motorsport.com
Petronas is scrambling to get their "official" synthetic race fuel certified prior to Melbourne. With 2026, the FIA has outsourced the testing of fuel to a third-party (British company Zemo) who will not only certify the fuel itself is sustainable, but will also validate the entire production process. This takes significantly more time than the 2025 rules and Petronus and Zemo are still working everything out.
Petronas does have a certified "provisional" fuel, so there is no concern that AMG-powered cars would not be able to take the grid at Melbourne, but this earlier specification of fuel will likely not be as good as the final "official" spec and therefore the cars would see a performance shortfall.
Petronas in race against time to homologate F1 2026 fuel
The sustainable fuel manufacturer for Mercedes is racing against time to get its fuel approved for F1 2026. If approval is not granted in time for the Australian Grand Prix, teams may be forced to use a temporary fuel
www.motorsport.com
Glideslope
macrumors G3
I agree. 130C is a ridiculous number to test at. It’s not remotely close to piston top temperatures. I’d imagine there are some limitations with sensor viability.
Glideslope
macrumors G3
It was quite telling to see the benefits of smaller turbo diameters in the Ferrari at yesterday’s practice starts. Ferrari and Hass definitely seem to get on the power band quicker.
CWallace
macrumors G5
And the engine compression ratio story is getting even more farcical. The Race is reporting that the four teams that brought the original complaint may now vote down their own proposal because they want a "hot-only" test, not the original "cold-only" test nor the now proposed "hot and cold" test.
Why? Because all the other engines lose power as they get warmer. While able to make 16:1 compression when at ambient, once up to operating temperature, that ratio falls to as low as 15:1 due to expansion of the connecting rods and the block. So the other engine manufacturers want to be able to have a higher than 16:1 compression ratio when at ambient to ensure that when at operating temperature, they would be at 16:1.
Of course, that can't happen under either the current nor the proposed rules. But it can happen under a "hot-only" rule. And under such a rule, this would allow Ferrari, RBFPT, Honda and Audi to raise their power output while reducing Mercedes' power output when the engine is at operating temperature.
And in answer to a question many of us had, the proposed ‘hot test’ would involve stripping the cylinder heads from the engine, fitting the measurement devices and heating it in an oven to a typical operating temperature of 130°C.
www.the-race.com
Why? Because all the other engines lose power as they get warmer. While able to make 16:1 compression when at ambient, once up to operating temperature, that ratio falls to as low as 15:1 due to expansion of the connecting rods and the block. So the other engine manufacturers want to be able to have a higher than 16:1 compression ratio when at ambient to ensure that when at operating temperature, they would be at 16:1.
Of course, that can't happen under either the current nor the proposed rules. But it can happen under a "hot-only" rule. And under such a rule, this would allow Ferrari, RBFPT, Honda and Audi to raise their power output while reducing Mercedes' power output when the engine is at operating temperature.
And in answer to a question many of us had, the proposed ‘hot test’ would involve stripping the cylinder heads from the engine, fitting the measurement devices and heating it in an oven to a typical operating temperature of 130°C.
Mercedes' F1 rivals might now vote down their own engine proposal
Having banded together to try and counter Mercedes' compression ratio advantage - F1's other engine manufacturers may now vote down their own proposal
www.the-race.com
CWallace
macrumors G5
So looks like the pre-season hype about Aston Martin was very premature. Yet another testing event where they struggle to get the car out of the garage and when they do, they have to nurse it to get it to complete more than a handful of laps.
The Honda ICU and battery are clearly not ready for prime time. While not quite as bad as 2015's disaster, it is similar to 2017 - which resulted in McLaren abandoning them and returning to AMG the following season. They are currently averaging less than half the daily test average of the other teams and this lack of running time just keeps putting AM and Honda further and further behind in not only preparing the car for Melbourne, but also denying Alonso and Stroll the opportunity to get comfortable with driving it and developing the critical energy management skills that will be necessary to get any real performance out of it.
Everyone presumed going in Audi and Cadillac would be the back markers this season, but more and more I think it is going to be Aston Martin.
The Honda ICU and battery are clearly not ready for prime time. While not quite as bad as 2015's disaster, it is similar to 2017 - which resulted in McLaren abandoning them and returning to AMG the following season. They are currently averaging less than half the daily test average of the other teams and this lack of running time just keeps putting AM and Honda further and further behind in not only preparing the car for Melbourne, but also denying Alonso and Stroll the opportunity to get comfortable with driving it and developing the critical energy management skills that will be necessary to get any real performance out of it.
Everyone presumed going in Audi and Cadillac would be the back markers this season, but more and more I think it is going to be Aston Martin.
pachyderm
macrumors G5
And the engine compression ratio story is getting even more farcical. The Race is reporting that the four teams that brought the original complaint may now vote down their own proposal because they want a "hot-only" test, not the original "cold-only" test nor the now proposed "hot and cold" test.
Why? Because all the other engines lose power as they get warmer. While able to make 16:1 compression when at ambient, once up to operating temperature, that ratio falls to as low as 15:1 due to expansion of the connecting rods and the block. So the other engine manufacturers want to be able to have a higher than 16:1 compression ratio when at ambient to ensure that when at operating temperature, they would be at 16:1.
Of course, that can't happen under either the current nor the proposed rules. But it can happen under a "hot-only" rule. And under such a rule, this would allow Ferrari, RBFPT, Honda and Audi to raise their power output while reducing Mercedes' power output when the engine is at operating temperature.
And in answer to a question many of us had, the proposed ‘hot test’ would involve stripping the cylinder heads from the engine, fitting the measurement devices and heating it in an oven to a typical operating temperature of 130°C.
Mercedes' F1 rivals might now vote down their own engine proposal
Having banded together to try and counter Mercedes' compression ratio advantage - F1's other engine manufacturers may now vote down their own proposal
Have they gotten too clever with all this technology?
The answer is "yes".
Glideslope
macrumors G3
I’m gutted with Honda. I knew the majority of the talent stayed at RBPT, but I thought Sakura wouldn’t be this behind. Looks like Honda 2015 again. I think it’s worse than 2017.
Apparently Andy Cowell has taken control in Sakura with Koji Watanabe developing the B-Spec engine. It’s a mess. 😟
CWallace
macrumors G5
At least Cowell is the guy you want considering all the time he spent heading up Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (as well as previously spearheading the Cosworth and BMW Motorsport F1 programs).
Mercedes found the hole in the regs, and the FIA is chasing its own tail trying to close it.. because they messed up. Usual day in F1 then lol…
pachyderm
macrumors G5
It all smacks of reliability issues and retirements doesn't it?
Glideslope
macrumors G3
Agreed. I have a tremendous amount of respect for Andy Cowell.
It’s more Honda’s most talented engineers are now RBPT. As are a good amount of AMG engineers. The reliability cause is still unknown. Part of me wants to blame it on Newey going over the edge with packaging on his new child resulting in Honda having to run lower engine modes, along with overheating. The other part of me is just resolved to the fact that it’s DOA until the B-Spec is in the car. AMR has gearbox issues as big as the PU as well.
I am excited with the performance of the RBPT/ (Ford) in the 2026 car. It looks and sounds stout. I think reliability will be there. Max says “It’s very drivable.” That’s a good sign.
Ferrari looks good on starts and low fuel runs. They were smart to go with the small turbos. They were looking at the starts with this. Could be a huge advantage until the FIA decides to punish them for innovation. I’m not convinced on the high fuel load runs.
All that being said I fully expect to watch Mercedes pull 1+ seconds on the main straight in Australia. They haven’t run close to their highest engine modes yet, IMO. I think George is the WCD favorite, but Kimi will surprise many. Toto may have his hands full with two very fast drivers in very fast cars.
Unless the FIA decides to rule them as illegal…. Never say never with the FIA..
But yes reliability and the ability to use that battery power will be key this gen I think.
CWallace
macrumors G5
I'm going to miss the tight fields of 2025 this year. We're unlikely to see any mid-fielders on the podium, especially once the teams reach Miami and the first round of major upgrades are installed.
After that, it will likely just be Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull drivers on the podium as those teams will be significantly faster than the rest of the grid.
After that, it will likely just be Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull drivers on the podium as those teams will be significantly faster than the rest of the grid.
pachyderm
macrumors G5
pachyderm
macrumors G5
I believe I'll able to watch F1 on there no problem... I received a notification stating that in not so many words...
I am in the UK and use Nord VPN and the F1 TV app, and it still all works fine for me on both my iPad and my Apple TV, I just click on the close option when it asks me to link the account to my Apple ID. Do you not have the option to do that?
CWallace
macrumors G5
The Race weighs in with their view on how the teams currently rank leaving Bahrain.
In general I am in agreement. Mercedes and Ferrari look to have their acts together, which will give their drivers confidence in the cars under them.
McLaren and Red Bull are lagging behind, but Max will always be a threat due to his enormous talent and McLaren tend to run a tight ship which will help them develop both the cars and the drivers.
In terms of "best of the rest", Haas and Alpine both start strong and each has one solid driver (Bearman and Gasly) with one that needs to raise their game (Ocon and Colapinto). At the moment, my money is on Ocon, so I think Haas will come out ahead in the early rounds of the Championship. Racing Bulls has a strong PU and probably a strong chassis, but Lawson is in the same boat as Ocon / Colapinto, IMO, and Lindblad is a rookie. As such, I do not see them regularly challenging Haas or Alpine.
Audi and Cadillac are about where one would expect new teams to be. To be fair, Audi really isn't a new team, but they are a new PU manufacturer. And Cadillac, while a new team, is getting a strong PU from Ferrari. Of the two, I think Audi has the overall advantage due to facilities and staff experience, but teething issues with their PU could mean Cadillac has better finishes early on.
It is difficult to say anything other than Williams and Aston Martin are disappointing. Williams sacrificed so much of 2025 on their 2026 car and while they comfortably held onto 5th place in the 2025 CC, they expected to enter Melbourne much better-prepared against Haas, Alpine and Racing Bulls then they currently are. Having a Mercedes PU and two strong drivers will certainly help them, but they are behind everyone other than Aston Martin on development and will need to work hard to catch up.
As for Aston Martin...As noted, the Honda PU appears to be even less-refined than the Audi unit and the car looks to be very tricky to drive as Alonso and Stroll routinely locked-up in the corners and Stroll often spent more time going backwards than forwards. A team so far behind can only move forward, so we could see large leaps and bounds over the season as they pour resources into development, but it seems clear that any idea they had of challenging for podiums, much less wins, in 2026 looks very unlikely at the moment.
In general I am in agreement. Mercedes and Ferrari look to have their acts together, which will give their drivers confidence in the cars under them.
McLaren and Red Bull are lagging behind, but Max will always be a threat due to his enormous talent and McLaren tend to run a tight ship which will help them develop both the cars and the drivers.
In terms of "best of the rest", Haas and Alpine both start strong and each has one solid driver (Bearman and Gasly) with one that needs to raise their game (Ocon and Colapinto). At the moment, my money is on Ocon, so I think Haas will come out ahead in the early rounds of the Championship. Racing Bulls has a strong PU and probably a strong chassis, but Lawson is in the same boat as Ocon / Colapinto, IMO, and Lindblad is a rookie. As such, I do not see them regularly challenging Haas or Alpine.
Audi and Cadillac are about where one would expect new teams to be. To be fair, Audi really isn't a new team, but they are a new PU manufacturer. And Cadillac, while a new team, is getting a strong PU from Ferrari. Of the two, I think Audi has the overall advantage due to facilities and staff experience, but teething issues with their PU could mean Cadillac has better finishes early on.
It is difficult to say anything other than Williams and Aston Martin are disappointing. Williams sacrificed so much of 2025 on their 2026 car and while they comfortably held onto 5th place in the 2025 CC, they expected to enter Melbourne much better-prepared against Haas, Alpine and Racing Bulls then they currently are. Having a Mercedes PU and two strong drivers will certainly help them, but they are behind everyone other than Aston Martin on development and will need to work hard to catch up.
As for Aston Martin...As noted, the Honda PU appears to be even less-refined than the Audi unit and the car looks to be very tricky to drive as Alonso and Stroll routinely locked-up in the corners and Stroll often spent more time going backwards than forwards. A team so far behind can only move forward, so we could see large leaps and bounds over the season as they pour resources into development, but it seems clear that any idea they had of challenging for podiums, much less wins, in 2026 looks very unlikely at the moment.
CWallace
macrumors G5
Apple will stream the below races in IMAX theaters in the US:
www.motorsport.com
Now how about bringing this to Vision Pro, which has a virtual IMAX screen?
- Miami Grand Prix – 3 May, 2026
- Monaco Grand Prix – 7 June, 2026
- British Grand Prix (Silverstone) – 5 July, 2026
- Italian Grand Prix (Monza) – 6 September, 2026
- United States Grand Prix (Austin) – 25 October, 2026
F1 races to screen live in IMAX theatres in 2026 as Apple TV unveils new US viewing experience
IMAX will show five selected Formula 1 races live in at least 50 US theatres in 2026 as part of a new collaboration with Apple TV’s incoming F1 broadcast deal
www.motorsport.com
Now how about bringing this to Vision Pro, which has a virtual IMAX screen?
Herdfan
macrumors 68000
The offspring is already making plans for this. She has two other friends who are also F1 fans and they are just waiting to see which theater/s in LA will being showing it.
pachyderm
macrumors G5
Apple will stream the below races in IMAX theaters in the US:
- Miami Grand Prix – 3 May, 2026
- Monaco Grand Prix – 7 June, 2026
- British Grand Prix (Silverstone) – 5 July, 2026
- Italian Grand Prix (Monza) – 6 September, 2026
- United States Grand Prix (Austin) – 25 October, 2026
F1 races to screen live in IMAX theatres in 2026 as Apple TV unveils new US viewing experience
IMAX will show five selected Formula 1 races live in at least 50 US theatres in 2026 as part of a new collaboration with Apple TV’s incoming F1 broadcast deal
Now how about bringing this to Vision Pro, which has a virtual IMAX screen?
wow
Might be fun to watch Monaco and Monza that way...