2025-26 Off-Season and Testing ThreadFormula 1 

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Jimlaad43

Jimlaad43

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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
 

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

2026-f1-car-render.webp


2026-fia-f1-car-render.webp
 
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.
 
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.
 
Well into the final hour of the test and we finally have live coverage of the 2026 F1 cars.

First impressions:
  • The sound is similar to the previous engines, but a bit nicer in the lower off-throttle conditions.
  • The cars do look smaller when onboard
  • That Audi livery is incredibly anonymous on track. The grey from the front just blends in and the red triangle is just as lazy and uninspiring from the trackside cameras.
  • The shiny Red Bull looks fabulous under lights
  • The front and rear wing "Straight Mode" will not take long to get used to and feel normal
  • Tricky braking points are Difficult Difficult Lemon Difficult. T9-10 has been catching them all out more than normal and we will have to see how that continues.
  • The fastest cars are currently 5 seconds off the 2025 pole time around Bahrain and lapping faster than the race fastest lap last year too. Pace will only get better and this isn't exactly dire in terms of a comparison.
  • The rear wing lights have a lot more features and flashes that we will undoubtedly not understand even by the end of the season.
  • The retro Williams logo on the timing tower is beautiful
And most importantly.
  • They look and sound like F1 cars. Let's hope they race well.
 
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