The Formula 1 2026 off-season provided a healthy shake-up for the driver line-up, but it's the team changes that have caught the attention going into the campaign.
Cadillac are a brand new team in the mix for 2026, meaning two extra cars will feature in every race, a grand total of 22.
Audi have also taken over the Stake team, offering an extra injection of excitement that they can climb through the grid in time.
Lando Norris returns as world champion at the head of McLaren, while George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Oliver Bearman also fly the flag for British drivers.
RadioTimes.com brings you the full Formula 1 driver line-up for 2026, including teams and our analysis of what to expect from each of them.
Watch Formula 1 live on Sky SportsAlpine (Pierre Gasly - Franco Colapinto)Aston Martin (Lance Stroll - Fernando Alonso)Audi (Gabriel Bortoleto - Nico Hülkenberg)Cadillac (Valtteri Bottas - Sergio Perez)Ferrari (Charles Leclerc - Lewis Hamilton)Haas (Esteban Ocon - Oliver Bearman)McLaren (Lando Norris - Oscar Piastri)Mercedes (George Russell - Kimi Antonelli)Racing Bulls (Liam Lawson - Arvid Lindblad)Red Bull (Max Verstappen - Isack Hadjar)Williams (Alex Albon - Carlos Sainz)F1 2026 teams
Alpine (Pierre Gasly - Franco Colapinto)
Alpine dropped Esteban Ocon in favour of Australian driver Jack Doohan for 2025. He was quickly jettisoned for Franco Colapinto, who reportedly has to make a (literally) fast start to the season to avoid the axe being swung in his direction.
The French constructors have failed to really set the sport alight so far and endured a rough 2025.
However, there's cause for optimism. Testing was a success, both drivers came away pretty happy, and they should be riding towards the front of the midfield.
Aston Martin (Lance Stroll - Fernando Alonso)
Aston Martin boast lofty ambitions, evidenced by the arrival of former Red Bull supremo Adrian Newey, but they couldn't be further from the front of the grid if they tried.
Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll – son of owner Lawrence Stroll – return to the cockpit, but have barely been in it during pre-season testing due to a number of issues with the car wreaking havoc with their schedule.
There is genuine concern the Honda-powered car will not make to the end of early-season races in its current guise, let alone come close to competing on the track.
Audi (Gabriel Bortoleto - Nico Hülkenberg)
The only was is up for the team formerly known as 'Stake'. Audi are up and running with a fresh look and a familiar driver line-up.
Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hülkenberg are at opposing ends of their careers in the sport, but both seemed to enjoy testing.
Of course, the latter journeyman will provide invaluable experience and feedback to the team who are expected to develop their way to competitiveness over the course of a season, rather than from the first race.
Cadillac (Valtteri Bottas - Sergio Perez)
They're here and they're not perfect, but Cadillac employees and top brass will just be delighted to get a car up and running around the track with such limited time to float their new ship.
Adding experienced heads like Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez to their stable shows the direction of travel for the new team. They need drivers who know what a Formula 1 car should feel like in order to provide feedback to make that a reality for Cadillac.
Respectability is the aim in 2026. Their season is all about testing, experimentation and bonding as a unit before setting out with competitive goals in 2027 and beyond.
Ferrari (Charles Leclerc - Lewis Hamilton)
A red-hot driver line-up wasn't enough to propel Ferrari into the spotlight last season, but hopes are soaring going into 2026.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton seem very pleased with their car as Ferrari gear up for a genuine shot at the title. It remains to be seen just how competitive Ferrari can remain throughout the season, but that's an issue for another day.
Ferrari turned their attention to 2026 sooner than most due to an abject 2025, but they are reaping the rewards now.
Haas (Esteban Ocon - Oliver Bearman)
Haas have settled on their driver line-up of Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman with both men capable of punching above their weight.
The team generally feels more settled in the post-Guenther Steiner era and their days of clowning around at the back of the grid should be over.
It's a big year for Haas, who are aiming to achieve the 'best of the rest' tag after the top four frontrunners.
McLaren (Lando Norris - Oscar Piastri)
McLaren dictated the pace of the 2025 season with eventual champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri ruling the roost for most of the season. Ironically, had one of them failed to handle the car well, the other may have streaked away with the title much earlier in the campaign.
The cost of being pushed all the way in the title race means McLaren have spent less time on their 2026 car than they may have wanted.
However, they still punched in solid times and will be expected to pick up pace as the season progresses.
Mercedes (George Russell - Kimi Antonelli)
Toto Wolff has been cooking over the break. Mercedes have remained tight-lipped and highly focused going into 2026.
George Russell is Wolff's diamond, his team leader, the face of his brand, and he finally appears to have a car worthy of running at the front of the grid on a consistent basis.
Russell has an opportunity to lead a new era for Mercedes, with 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli – who just passed his regular driving test prior to last season – as his apprentice.
Racing Bulls (Liam Lawson - Arvid Lindblad)
The Red Bull/Racing Bulls roundabout has yielded Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad in the hot seats for 2026.
It's a huge chance for Lindblad in the sport, but one fraught with peril given the technical complexities of the new cars.
Racing Bulls are unlikely to threaten the upper reaches of the grid, nor lag behind at the very back. They will sit in mid-table with little drama, or so you'd expect.
Red Bull (Max Verstappen - Isack Hadjar)
It's clear Red Bull are no longer the team to beat in Formula 1, but that doesn't mean they can't develop their way back to dominance in 2026.
They were understated in testing and Max Verstappen isn't the main focus going into the campaign. They will quietly go about their business and challenge in the upper echelons without being expected to win every race.
Arguably the biggest challenge for Red Bull is finding an appropriate co-pilot for Verstappen. Isack Hadjar is the latest graduate from Racing Bulls, but he must show early signs that he can be the man for Red Bull or he could be out of a seat very quickly.
Williams (Alex Albon - Carlos Sainz)
Just as it seemed Williams were getting it together, the new regulations appear to have stunted their growth. 2025 was an excellent year, but 2026 looks set to be a challenge.
In Carlos Sainz, Williams boast a Grand Prix-winning calibre driver who, ordinarily, would have found a seat further up the grid. Alex Albon remains with the team, though it appears their car may not boast the pace required for either to compete at the sharp end of the grid.
Williams may grow into the season, but the early signs don't scream confidence.
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