The 2026 Formula World Championship gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix, the first round of a season that marks a sea change in the history of the category.

The new technical regulations include radical alterations to the power unit, aerodynamics, chassis and energy management. It's the biggest revolution the sport has seen in decades, calling for a complete rethink of the actual car concept. After weeks of intense work in Maranello, in the simulator and testing on track, Scuderia Ferrari HP arrives in Melbourne for what is the start of a new technical cycle, for which adaptability, speed of learning and reliability will be key factors.

The rules that come into force this year aim for a different balance between the thermal and electrical components, with hybrid energy playing a much more significant role, along with even more sophisticated management systems. Aerodynamics have also undergone a profound change with cars less dependent on the floor to generate downforce and more sensitive to management of mechanical grip. With this in mind the pre-season tests were tackled with the clear aim of understanding, validating and optimising. Data from the tests are a good starting point, but only the opening race will produce the first, true benchmark of competitivity.

Today, Albert Park is 5.278 kilometres in length, having first hosted a round of the world championship in 1996, going on to become of the classics on the calendar. The semi-permanent track features a combination of high-speed sections and technical ones, with the walls close to the track, thus leaving no room for mistakes. The section through turns 9 and 10 is one of the most demanding, while the best chances for overtaking come at the braking point for turns 3 and 11. With these cars being so different to their predecessors, past data is of limited value and watching how the 2026 cars perform on Melbourne's high speed street circuit will be one of the most interesting aspects of the weekend.

Fred Vasseur: "We did a good number of kilometres at the Bahrain tests, which produced plenty of data to help us understand the SF-26. We worked methodically on various key areas, gathering a great deal of useful information. Conditions at testing are never really representative and Melbourne will be the first real opportunity to assess how competitive we are compared to our opponents. As usual at the start of the season, there are a lot of unknowns and we will approach the weekend with focus and humility".

Ferrari at the Australian GP

30 GP Contested
1985 Debut (S. Johansson 5th, M. Alboreto ret.)
11 (28.20%) Wins
7 (17.95%) Pole positions
11 (28.20%) Fastest laps
28 (23.93%) Podiums

A glossary for the new Formula 1

• Active aero. There are movable aerodynamic elements (wings, flaps, slots) that can alter drag and downforce during a lap to optimise performance on straights or in corners. Activated by the driver in designated sections of the circuit, they allow greater adaptability between a "straight" configuration (low downforce for straight-line sections) and a "corner" configuration (high downforce for turns), improving the balance between top speed and aero downforce in the corners.

• Boost. A control that enables temporary delivery of maximum power from both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, used to attack or defend. It provides the driver with full available power from the power unit, regardless of where the car is on the track.

• Overtake. The new mode aimed at facilitating overtaking, replacing DRS. When the chasing driver is within one second of a rival at the detection point, they can activate a mode that delivers additional power to help with an overtaking attempt. Unlike DRS, Overtake Mode is not restricted to fixed zones of the track and can be managed strategically throughout the entire lap.

• Recharge. Refers to the process and method for recovering energy, especially under braking or during lift-off, which is then stored in the battery for later use.

• Simplified hybrid. With this year's regulations, the MGU-K has significantly more power available in order to provide more electrical energy for overtaking. The MGU-H has been eliminated, thus simplifying the hybrid system. The 2026 rules have shifted the balance of power by assigning a greater role to the electrical component, with the goal of achieving a 50/50 split between thermal and electrical energy at maximum output.

• Sustainable Fuel. A type of fuel developed through highly advanced research, its key feature being a low carbon impact. These fuels are now mandatory as from the start of this season. Power units must run on 99% sustainable gasoline that maintains performance while reducing the overall environmental footprint.

Facts & Figures

2. Melbourne's average position in the "Most Liveable City" ranking over the past ten years. The Australian city set the standard for quality of life, topping the chart for seven consecutive years, from 2011 to 2017. Over the last decade, it has held onto an average position of second, almost always in a two-way tussle with Vienna, the only city able to outperform it consistently. The parameters taken into account include stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure.

3. The average number of possums per hectare in Melbourne's tree-lined suburbs. These are mainly common brushtail possums, nocturnal marsupials native to Australia that are perfectly adapted to urban life. Generally found in parks and residential gardens, possums are easily spotted after sunset and are a characteristic feature of the city's wildlife.

5. The billions of litres of milk produced each year in the State of Victoria, the region's leading agricultural product. Victoria is Australia's top dairy-producing state, contributing around 60 to 65% of the nation's milk. The Gippsland and South West Victoria areas form the heart of production, with significant quantities exported to Asian markets.

75. The percentage of the State of Victoria's population that lives in the Melbourne metropolitan area. With over five million inhabitants, the city accounts for about three quarters of the state's residents, confirming its status as the economic, cultural, and sporting hub of the region. This high demographic concentration means that Melbourne is one of the most influential cities relative to its state in Australia.

243. The length in kilometres of the Great Ocean Road, one of the most famous scenic drives in the world. Built between 1919 and 1932 as a memorial to Australian soldiers who fought in the First World War, it winds along Victoria's south-western coast, offering impressive views of the Southern Ocean, including the famous Twelve Apostles, imposing limestone formations shaped by wind and waves.