Formula 1 2026 Teams and Drivers: Full Grid Guide for the New Era

A new regulation cycle. A new manufacturer. An 11th team on the grid. And the same old rivalries are simmering beneath the surface. The 2026 Formula 1 season ushers in a fresh technical era, with revised power unit regulations and Audi's long-awaited factory entry.

Here's a team-by-team breakdown of the full grid heading into what promises to be a reset year, and possibly a reshuffling of the pecking order.

Alpine

Pierre Gasly (10) | Franco Colapinto (43)

Pierre Gasly enters his fourth season with Alpine as the clear reference point. The Frenchman scored all 22 of the team's constructors' points in 2025, carrying a car that often struggled for consistency.

Franco Colapinto remains alongside him after being promoted in mid-2024. The Argentine completed 18 races last year without scoring, and 2026 becomes a pivotal season to justify Alpine's faith.

Aston Martin

Fernando Alonso (14) | Lance Stroll (18)

Aston Martin sticks with continuity - and experience. Fernando Alonso, who turns 45 in July, dominated Lance Stroll in qualifying last year and finished 10th overall after a late-season uptick in form.

With Adrian Newey now steering the technical direction, stability in the cockpit suggests Aston believes the gains will come from the car rather than the driver market.

Audi

Gabriel Bortoleto (5) | Nico Hülkenberg (27)

Sauber becomes Audi in 2026, marking the German manufacturer's official works debut.
Gabriel Bortoleto impressed in his rookie season, including a sixth-place finish in Hungary.

Nico Hülkenberg, meanwhile, finally broke his 15-year podium drought at Silverstone in 2025, a career milestone after 239 starts. Experience meets youth for Audi's first campaign.

Cadillac

Sergio Perez (11) | Valtteri Bottas (77)

The 11th team on the grid arrives with serious experience. Cadillac handed the reins to Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas with 16 wins between them.

Perez returns after losing his Red Bull seat in 2024, while Bottas brings 10 victories and a decade-plus of top-team knowledge. For a new project, this is a line-up built for stability rather than long-term development.

Ferrari

Charles Leclerc (16) | Lewis Hamilton (44)

Year two of the Leclerc-Hamilton pairing begins after a mixed debut season together. Hamilton managed a sprint win in China but failed to reach a grand prix podium in 2025.

Leclerc finished fifth overall and secured all seven Ferrari podiums. If the Scuderia's 2026 car is competitive, this partnership could shift from experimental to explosive.

Haas

Oliver Bearman (87) | Esteban Ocon (31)

Haas retains their 2025 pairing. Oliver Bearman impressed in his rookie campaign, notably finishing fourth in Mexico. Esteban Ocon narrowly trailed him in the standings.

Continuity is key as Haas aims to consolidate midfield gains.

McLaren

Lando Norris (1) | Oscar Piastri (81)

The reigning drivers' champion returns with the number one on his car. Lando Norris clinched his first title in Abu Dhabi last year and now chases back-to-back championships, something McLaren hasn't achieved since Mika Häkkinen in 1999.

Oscar Piastri led much of 2025 before fading late, ending third overall. The intra-team dynamic remains one of the most compelling storylines on the grid.

Mercedes

George Russell (63) | Andrea Kimi Antonelli (12)

George Russell enters his fifth season with Mercedes after two wins in 2025.

Teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a fluctuating rookie year but finished strongly with podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas. Mercedes continues their youth-forward approach under the new regulations.

Red Bull

Max Verstappen (3) | Isack Hadjar (6)

Max Verstappen, chasing a fifth world title in 2025 before falling short, remains Red Bull's anchor. He still secured eight wins, more than any other driver.

French rookie Isack Hadjar steps up from Racing Bulls after a promising debut season that included a podium at Zandvoort. The pressure of partnering Verstappen is immediate and unforgiving.

Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson (30) | Arvid Lindblad (41)

Arvid Lindblad is the sole rookie on the 2026 grid. The 18-year-old Briton - with Swedish and Indian heritage - arrives after two Formula 2 wins.

Liam Lawson retains his place after a turbulent 2025 that saw him briefly promoted and then demoted within the Red Bull system.

Williams

Alex Albon (23) | Carlos Sainz (55)

Williams finished fifth in the constructors' standings last season. Alex Albon outscored Carlos Sainz overall, though the Spaniard grabbed two podiums.

Stability continues as Williams aims to convert midfield consistency into regular front-running opportunities under the new rules.

What to look forward to in the Formula 1 2026 season

2026 isn't just another season - it's a regulatory reset. New power unit formulas, Audi's arrival, Cadillac's entry, and fresh technical philosophies mean the hierarchy could shift dramatically.

McLaren defends both titles. Ferrari seeks redemption. Red Bull rebuilds momentum. Mercedes bet on youth. Audi and Cadillac attempt to carve out space in an established ecosystem.

Every new era in Formula 1 begins with uncertainty. And uncertainty, in this sport, is usually
where the drama lives.