Formula 1 will enter a new regulation cycle in 2026 which is set to be one of the biggest shakeups in a decade for teams and drivers.
There will be drastic modifications to the cars on both the chassis and engine side in the new generation of cars, including active aerodynamics and greener power units that produce 1,000 horsepower.
The drivers will be able to switch between an ‘X-Mode’ for low-drag and straights and ‘Z-Mode’ for greater cornering speeds instead of using the existing Drag Reduction System.
F1 intends to increase the electrical output of the engines with the power from the Motor Generator Unit Kinetic (MGU-K) rising to 350kW, a significant increase on the current 120kW it produces in tandem with the MGU-H.
Former F1 driver, Martin Brundle, has voiced what makes him ‘personally’ concerned after the FIA revealed the new car concepts in Canada.
But there is another change which will take effect as early as next year, which will impact the team’s preparations before they let these new cars out on track for the first time.
The ‘major change’ to 2026 pre-season testing
Next year will see a slightly different calendar compared to 2024, with the first four opening races changing order.
Instead of commencing in Bahrain, F1 will instead switch back to having the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne as the opening round. This is in part due to the holy month of Ramadan, which starts at the end of February and runs through the whole of March 2025.
With the Bahrain Grand Prix traditionally the opening race in previous years, this made it easy to schedule pre-season testing as it meant the purpose-built Sakhir circuit could host it two weeks prior to the race.
This not only saves money on logistics but also helps F1 meet its green targets and gives teams stable weather conditions, something that cannot be guaranteed at a European track.
Where will F1 pre-season testing take place?
As the season will start in Melbourne in 2025, the question is how the pre-season schedule will take place. Australia would be ideal, but the Albert Park Circuit is not a purpose-built facility and utilises public roads.
According toGerman media, AMuS, the teams have already decided on a plan which will see them shakedown their cars at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya in 2026. The report states that around £675,000 will be saved by each team through moving it to Barcelona, as it is closer to their factories than Bahrain.
AMuS also claims that two weeks of testing will be scheduled again, as was the case in 2022 with the introduction of the ground effect cars. This gives teams extra time to ensure their cars work as intended without any safety issues.
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