The 2026 regulation changes are often described as one of the biggest overhauls in Formula 1 history. Why does the FIA revise the rules every few years, and why does it introduce new types of Formula 1 cars? In this GPFans Special, we examine the reasoning behind these changes.

The FIA have scheduled two more meetings this week to tackle the much-discussed engine trick found by Mercedes surrounding their power unit’s compression ratio. The FIA will meet with all eleven teams, and Thursday, the Power Unit Advisory Committee will come together as well to discuss the matter. Meanwhile, Christian Horner has made his first public appearance since being let go as Red Bull’s team principal back in July, and the Brit claims he still has unfinished business in Formula 1.

Williams team principal James Vowles has refuted the fact that a weight problem and failed crash tests are the reason why the team is not able to run this week in Barcelona. Vowles claims it’s impossible to know whether or not the car is overweight or not, but has confirmed they’ll be ready in time for the two upcoming tests in Bahrain in February.

The first real test week of the Formula 1 season has begun. Already, several striking developments are emerging, and in this GPFans Special we take a closer look at some of those clever innovations.

Winter testing has officially begun in Barcelona, albeit behind closed doors, and one notably absent team was Aston Martin. News broke last week that Williams will miss the test altogether, but Aston have run into some delays as well, as seven of the eleven teams ran their cars on Monday.

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has confirmed that McLaren will not participate in the first day of the Barcelona winter test. The test next week, that will take place behind closed doors, is the first of three separate testing opportunities for the 11 F1 teams to shake down their new challengers.

Jack Doohan could be back in Formula 1 next year. The Aussie is on the verge of becoming Haas’s reserve driver this season, with the intention of getting a full-time drive for next year.

Multiple teams could miss out on the first day of testing in Barcelona at the end of the month. Red Bull Racing and Alpine, with the testing week behind closed doors starting on January 26th.

Three teams have gone to the FIA to declare the new Mercedes engine illegal, according to the usually well-informed Corriere dello Sport. Mercedes have reportedly found a way to circumvent the new compression ratio and generate more power, which is why other manufacturers have rung the alarm bell.

Sergio Perez has hit out at Christian Horner over the way he was shown the door at Red Bull Racing. Perez claims he was merely a distraction for Horner’s off-track controversy during that year, as he was ultimately replaced at the end of 2024. Meanwhile Formula 1 have decided to slightly tweak the qualifying format for 2026 as an 11th team and two more cars have been added to the grid.