McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed his first Drivers’ World Championship last season with 423 points, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just two points—Verstappen finished with 421—in one of the closest title fights in recent memory. Norris’ teammate Oscar Piastri was never far behind either, finishing third in the standings with 410 points. The final stretch of the season was relentless, and not one driver backed down from the fight.

On March 7, Norris returns to defend his title against a grid full of familiar rivals and fresh faces. With impressive performances last season from rookies like Isack Hadjar and returning contenders like Carlos Sainz, the 2026 season carries more storylines than most—and more questions about how they’ll unfold.

Whether fans are hoping for a Lewis Hamilton revival or another Verstappen championship run, Formula One’s new season promises to deliver.

For senior Will Rinkenberger, watching Verstappen chip away at Norris’ 100-point lead was exactly the kind of drama he’d been waiting for. But his loyalties have always been with Mercedes—and this season, his attention is locked on a new favorite: rookie Kimi Antonelli.

Antonelli had a strong debut campaign in 2025, securing his first career podium at the Canadian Grand Prix before adding two more podium finishes across the season. Rinkenberger considers him the best rookie of the year, and given his trajectory, Antonelli is a name to watch in 2026.

“He did really well last season,” Rinkenberger said. “It was a good year to watch.”

Beyond Antonelli, Rinkenberger is hoping the new technical regulations give Mercedes a genuine shot at the Drivers’ Championship. He believes George Russell—if he can find consistency—has the talent to compete at the top.

One of the most talked-about regulation changes heading into 2026 is the removal of the Drag Reduction System, better known as DRS. The system, which allowed a trailing driver within one second of a competitor to open a rear wing flap and gain straight-line speed for overtaking, has been a fixture of the sport for over a decade. Its removal has generated significant debate among fans and engineers alike.

Sophomore Praneeth Bhukya is among the fans who aren’t thrilled about the change. Teams spent the offseason overhauling their cars—boosting electrical systems and reworking aerodynamic packages to compensate for the loss of DRS-assisted speed.

“The cars are more like F2 cars now,” Bhukya said. “They’re gonna be much slower on straights, but faster in the corners.”

Senior Flint Reece sees it differently. Pre-season testing has given fans an early look at how the new cars perform, and changes to both the front and rear wing systems appear to offer a more organic alternative to DRS-assisted passing.

“I don’t think it’s going to be that big of a change for the drivers,” Reece said.

One addition to the grid both fans agree they’re excited about is Cadillac—Formula One’s newest team and the first American manufacturer to enter the sport in decades. Joining the team as its drivers are experienced veterans Valtteri Bottas and Sergio “Checo” Pérez, both bringing years of top-team experience from Mercedes and Red Bull respectively.

“I definitely want to see Cadillac race,” Bhukya said.

Neither driver has won a World Championship, but their familiarity with high-pressure racing environments gives Cadillac a foundation that most expansion teams don’t have in their first season.

For Flint Reece, last season’s highlight was watching Norris finally break through after four years of Verstappen dominance. The 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix—the season finale—became a three-way sprint between Norris, Piastri and Verstappen that kept fans watching until the final lap.

But even as he followed Norris closely, one other driver kept pulling his attention: Lewis Hamilton.

The seven-time world champion completed his move from Mercedes to Ferrari ahead of last season—a change that generated enormous anticipation. The results, however, were a letdown. Hamilton struggled to find his footing with the new car, and a difficult year off the track appeared to weigh on him as well.

“He seemed sadder,” Bhukya said. “I think mental health is part of the reason he didn’t do as well.”

Both Bhukya and Flint Reece agree Hamilton underperformed relative to expectations. Now entering his second season with Ferrari, more comfortable with the car and more settled with the team, many fans are hoping 2026 is the year Hamilton reminds the field why he is the most decorated driver in the sport’s history.

Two other drivers worth tracking this season are Isack Hadjar and Carlos Sainz.

After the struggles of Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull seat, the team needed a driver capable of complementing Verstappen’s pace. Hadjar, who spent 2025 racing for the RB team, impressed enough to earn the promotion.

“I think he’s probably the best driver to take that seat right now,” Flint Reece said. “I’m excited to see what he does there.”

Sainz, meanwhile, spent last season proving doubters wrong. After losing his Ferrari seat to Hamilton ahead of 2025, he landed at Williams—a team that hasn’t challenged at the front in years. He responded with two podium finishes, surprising nearly everyone and building real anticipation for what he might do with another full season there.

Rinkenberger, Flint Reece and Bhukya all have their eyes on a stacked field: Oscar Piastri, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Fernando Alonso among them. In three days, the grid assembles in Melbourne for the season opener—and for every fan watching, Race Week is just the beginning of what shapes up to be one of the most competitive Formula One seasons in years.

“I’m excited for the ’26 season,” Flint Reece said.