An Exquisite 2026 Formula 1 Preview For True Sophisticates

The trick with every Formula 1 season is to believe, at the start, that it will be exciting. Fortunately, if last year's preview was any indication, sports fans tend to be quite good about doing this.

But this year, this year really , there is a lot to be excited for. There's a massive regulations overhaul that is shrinking the cars, if just by a little, and dramatically changing how they operate. There's a whole new team on the grid, with not-so-new drivers. Even if there aren't so many new rookies as last year, there is one (a teenage non-pay driver, at that!), plus a lot of sophomores to watch develop. There is already a disaster story on the horizon, for those who enjoy schadenfreude.

Because this is F1, there is also plenty to be wary of. The American broadcast rights have been moved to Apple TV; what this will mean for the sport's popular streaming product, F1 TV, and overall broadcast quality, is unknown. The new regulations may very well be a huge dud that will produce poor racing. Who knows?