Formula One's 2026 season starts in Melbourne on March 8 with sweeping changes to chassis and power units designed to increase overtaking and improve eco-sustainability, though McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari remain expected to compete for the championship. Key storylines include questions about whether Mercedes exploited a loophole for performance advantage, the rivalry between George Russell and Max Verstappen potentially reigniting if Mercedes proves competitive, and Lewis Hamilton's determination to chase an eighth world championship after a difficult 2025.
3 March 2026 · The Namibian →