2025-26 Off-Season and Testing ThreadFormula 1

[Jimlaad43]

2025 comes to a close as one generation of F1 cars disappears, and a whole new era is upon us for 2026. Who will come out the best from the winter and hit the ground running with the new regulations? Discuss anything Formula 1 here that can't be posted in the other threads.

There are three pre-season tests coming up. The first in Barcelona is completely Private, while the following two in Bahrain will be more publicised and broadcast.

Drivers
Constructors
Calendar
Caption Game

 

[Fezzik]

https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-and-fia-unveil-new-renders-and-terminology-for-2026/10785230/

Bye bye DRS, hello MOM Overtake, Boost, Straight & Corner modes.

 

[nukleabomb]

 

[MagpieRacer]

Could be nothing, could be something?

 

[Blitz24]

Max will be using #3 in 2026.

 

[EngieDiesel]

Max will be using #3 in 2026.

Which pretty much confirms that Ricciardo ain't coming back, not that anyone was really expecting it.

 

[hakhan]

Former Red Bull Head of Race Strategy, Will Courtenay, has officially joined McLaren as Sporting Director after securing an early release from his Red Bull contract.

 

[sillybilly]

Does it look like the tyres are quite a bit lower profile this year ?

Seems a bit less of a balloon shape - going to 18in wheels a few years ago I expected low profile tyres compared to the 13 but they always looked awkward to too big for the rim size... new ones look pretty good from what I've seen.