F1 2026 - Watchalong Thread

[Brazilianadventure]

Happy New Year.

This is going to be an interesting year with the regulation change.

Rumours are Mercedes and RB engines are exploiting a loophole and so may have the most powerful engines.

AM will have a car with significant input from Adrian Newey.

Sauber becomes Audi and we have an 11th team, Cadillac.

Christian Horner seems very keen to get back into F1, preferably Alpine with Flávio - they deserve each other.

There is closed door testing in Barcelona then open testing from 11 February at Sakhir.

Edited for typo and thread title.

I’ll join. I’m keen to see how Bottas does.
Although I don’t like what he did, I did like CH on DTS, I thought he really cared about his drivers and team.

Thank you for the new thread.
Also thank you to those who gave advice re tickets for this season. Told ds on Christmas day and he was speechless (not usual for him). He's already had me buying t-shirts (one for each race day)! He's also planning a day in Budapest as flying out midweek. I cant wait to see his face when hes actually track side (although apparently Verstapen will win in Hungary - inside information 🤣).
Hoping for a good season.

Wow @PersephoneParlormaid and @Glassesforclasses you are quick of the mark. 😂

🤞 we are in for a good year.

Thanks for the new thread @Brazilianadventure
The new season doesn't seem so far away now that we're in the new year!

Happy new year fellow petrolheads. Thanks fir the shiny new thread Brazilianadventure
This season is such an unknown it could be amazing.
I don't know how I can survive until late July to tell DS about Zandvoort, the secret will be hard to bear once the season starts properly.
No release date for DTS yet, its usually March, I know its tabloid tv, but we love it.

Happy New Year. Thanks for the new thread.excited for this year’s racing.

@gingercat02 you son will be so thrilled. ❤️

@Glassesforclasses what a lovely surprise for your son. I love that he is already sorting his wardrobe for the race weekend. 😍

Rumor is that the Mercedes engine is significantly better than the others. If so, you'd have to make Russell strong favourite for the title.

Not necessarily. McLaren also use Mercedes engines (as will Alpine and Williams in 2026).

It would be interesting if the 4 Mercedes teams give close racing.

Hi, I’d love to join please! I took my 15 year old to Silverstone last year and we had the best time! Thought we wouldn’t go this year and save up again for next year but now gutted as Bottas is my favourite driver. Can’t wait to have him back!

I would love to see Sainz up there next year 🤞

Thanks for the lovely new thread

I’m rooting for Sainz & Russell next year & id like to see last years rookies do well too.

I just hope Lewis and Charles have a decent car.

I’m thinking fat chance. And to be honest, even if the car isn’t dreadful Ferrari will find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory with their usual bad strategy decisions. Sorry to be so pessimistic but I think Fred’s hands are tied by the powers above and their refusal to take onboard feedback.

New thread already! Wonderful.

Bottas is a sentimental favourite of mine as he spends a fair bit of time in my local area. Think he likes the sun and heat in summer here more than I do!

I’ll miss the first race in Australia this year as I’ll be on my way home from Italy. Hoping to avoid spoilers and watch it on Monday when I get home but we’ll see. Guess most of you will be watching it on delay as it’s on at stupid o’clock in the UK.

No we get up to watch it as a family, and then all head back to bed. Fun start to the season.

Would love Alonso to do well

following

I don’t know much about the sport so I am learning - seems very interesting x

Joining the chat.

Feel very sorry for Lewis, I always thought it was going to be a genius decision or a disaster. Last season was the disaster, BUT it takes time with Ferrari.

I've got a feeling Piastri and Verstappen could be fighting for the title this year. As much as Russell and Norris are really good driver's my gut is just telling me their team mates will outperform them this season.

I also have a feeling Williams might be in contention this year too.

Im looking forward to the new season and seeing if it brings tighter competition between more of the teams.
DS has been supporting OP since he was a rookie, I've only got into F1 more recently, (still lots to learn) so we were a bit disappointed he wasnt closer for the title last year, but happy for Landos win. Even so I think having potentially more contenders in the mix will be interesting.

Ive seen a event in Nice that id quite like to go to - its close to my birthday, and DS is very up for that if we could take a day trip to Monaco, from there. But all dependent on costs (event website hasnt released many details yet) and whether its feasible to do without missing any school.

@Fizbosshoes I believe most people stay outside of Monaco and use the train which is very efficient.

Last year they did the big launch of teams livery etc at the O2. I can’t see a similar event for this year.