F1 2026 drivers: Full Formula 1 grid as new faces lineup on the grid

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F1 2026 drivers: Full Formula 1 grid as new faces lineup on the grid How Tos By Krishi Chowdhary published 5 March 2026

One rookie, returning veterans, and familiar stars headline Formula 1 2026

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Formula 1 is dynamic, uncertain, and constantly changing – much like the F1 2026 drivers. You have the 'pay drivers' who essentially bring sponsorship money, the young rookies (see: Arvid Lindblad), and the legends.

But who are the new F1 drivers? Where do they stack up on the grid? Here's a complete look at the 2026 driver lineup ahead of the Australian Grand Prix (March 6-8).

The big news? Sauber teammates Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will be driving for newcomers Audi, while the team-driver combination to watch will be Lewis Hamilton and Scuderia Ferrari, a pairing that is as messy as ever.

That said, the Brit said the car now has his “DNA” in it. If Ferrari has indeed built a competitive package, Lewis Hamilton could well be in the mix for the Drivers’ Championship, at least according to my F1 2026 predictions.

At the front of the grid, Max Verstappen will once again lead the charge for Red Bull, while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continue to strengthen McLaren’s title credentials after their strong form in recent seasons.

Could this be George Russell's year? Below, we’ve prepared a detailed look at the new and returning drivers on the 2026 Formula 1 grid. Looking for an F1 live stream? We have some hot tips on those, too.

• Stream all 24 F1 races for FREE on RTBF (Belgium) / RTL Zwee (Luxembourg) / ORF On & Servus TV (Austria)
• Traveling? Watch your local stream with NordVPN (save 74%)

Arvid Lindblad makes his long-awaited F1 debut

Eighteen-year-old British driver Arvid Lindblad will be the only rookie on the Formula 1 grid in 2026 – a stark contrast to 2025, when six new drivers made their debuts, including Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Ollie Bearman (Haas), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), Jack Doohan (Alpine), and Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)

Lindblad joins Red Bull’s sister team Racing Bulls, replacing Hadjar after the Frenchman earned a promotion to the senior Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen.

While new to a full-time Formula 1 seat, Lindblad already boasts an impressive résumé. The Red Bull junior became the youngest race winner in both Formula 3 and Formula 2, claiming victories at just 16 and 17 years old respectively. His rapid rise through the junior ranks also included winning the prestigious WSK Euro Series in 2021 – a title previously claimed by drivers such as Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli.

Lindblad has already had a taste of Formula 1 machinery, completing two FP1 sessions for Red Bull last season and impressing team bosses Laurent Mekies and Helmut Marko during previous car testing programs.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Returning drivers back on the F1 grid

Along with a new F1 team – Cadillac will expand the grid to 22 drivers – come two returning names: Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, both seasoned drivers with over 500 Formula 1 race starts between them. After missing out on an F1 seat in 2025, Cadillac will hope the veterans can bring crucial experience and newfound enthusiasm to the new outfit.

Perez was let go by Red Bull following a troubling 2024 season, during which he was replaced first by Liam Lawson and then Yuki Tsunoda. Bottas, meanwhile, spent the year on the sidelines as a reserve driver for Mercedes. But having worked inside championship-winning environments, they know the culture, structure, and mentality it takes to build a successful Formula 1 team.

Both drivers have also come close to the ultimate prize before, each finishing as a runner-up in the drivers’ championship during their careers. But after years spent as dependable wingmen at the front of the grid, the question now is whether Bottas and Perez can turn a new chapter with Cadillac.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 0

Valtteri Bottas

Sergio Perez

Starts

246

281

Wins

10

6

Poles

20

3

Podiums

67

39

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Drivers switching teams for 2026

Only one driver, Isack Hadjar, has switched teams from the 2025 season heading into 2026. He previously raced for Red Bull’s sister team, Racing Bulls, where he seriously impressed, even securing his first podium at Zandvoort – albeit with help from Lando Norris’ technical retirement.

The question now is whether he can meet both the expectations and the pressure of that second Red Bull seat, which has been something of a revolving door in recent years. The position has seen multiple changes, from Pierre Gasly to Alex Albon, then Sergio Perez, before short stints from Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Drivers continuing with the same teams in 2026

18 of the 22 drivers this season are continuing with their teams from last year, highlighting a rare level of stability on the Formula 1 grid.

Swipe to scroll horizontallyRow 0 - Cell 0

Team

F1 starts

Wins

Best race finish

Max Verstappen

Red Bull

233

71

Win

George Russell

Mercedes

152

5

Win

Kimi Antonelli

Mercedes

24

0

P2

Oscar Piastri

McLaren

70

9

Win

Lando Norris

McLaren

152

11

Win

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

171

8

Win

Lewis Hamilton

Ferrari

380

105

Win

Carlos Sainz

Williams

229

4

Win

Alex Albon

Williams

128

0

P4

Fernando Alonso

Aston Martin

425

32

Win

Lance Stroll

Aston Martin

189

0

P3

Esteban Ocon

Haas

180

1

Win

Oliver Bearman

Haas

27

0

P4

Nico Hulkenberg

Audi

250

0

P3

Gabriel Bortoleto

Audi

24

0

P6

Pierre Gasly

Alpine

177

1

Win

Franco Colapinto

Alpine

26

0

P8

Liam Lawson

Racing Bulls

35

0

P5

• See more: F1 2026 season streaming guide

Key Formula 1 live streams around the world

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Country

FREE stream

Other broadcasters

U.S.

Apple TV (Practice sessions and select races)

Apple TV

U.K.

Channel 4 (British GP)

Sky Sports

Australia

10Play (Australian GP)

Fox Sports via Kayo

Canada

CTV (Canadian GP)

TSN Plus

Use a VPN to watch any Formula 1 2026 stream

This is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, thereby letting you unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend NordVPN – it does everything and comes with a 74% discount.

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple:

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're visiting the US and want to view your usual UK service, you'd select a 'United Kingdom' server from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to your usual local streaming service and watch F1 2026 live streams.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Krishi Chowdhary

Krishi covers buying guides and how-to's related to software, online tools, and tech products here at TechRadar. Over at Tom's Guide, he writes exclusively on VPN services. You can also find his work on Techopedia and The Tech Report. As a tech fanatic, Krishi also loves writing about the latest happenings in the world of cybersecurity, AI, and software.

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