Blogocentric Formulations

Australian Grand Prix

The first Formula 1 Grand Prix of the year is officially here and gone, and it was definitely an interesting one. New formula series are always a bit of a mystery as we see the cars out on the track that comply with different rule sets, and the 2026 formula is a big one. Lots of new requirements for both the chassis and power units, so these cars are essentially redesigned from the ground up this year, rather than being modified or adapted from the year before.

I've been following Ferrari pretty closely this year because my favorite driver (Lewis Hamilton) went over to their team in 2025, so it's been fun following all the new developments of winter testing and this weekend's free practices and qualifying. It was a bit of a rollercoaster weekend as a Ferrari fan; they were right there are the top of the timetable during the practice sessions, then Mercedes was so far out ahead in qualifying that a lot of commentators were sure that Ferrari was cooked when they qualified fourth and seventh. But then during the race today, despite a strategy miscalculation on Ferrari's part, they looked competitive with the Mercedes and ended up finishing not too far behind them.

At the end of the day, despite some misgivings about some of the new formula series (a lot of the drivers are talking about how the cars are not enjoyable to drive, and it's so weird to watch Formula 1 cars slow down on the track to recharge their battery rather than go all out!), I am excited for the season ahead. It's the second season that I'll have watched live as it happens — as opposed to catching up via Drive to Survive — and the first season where I've really closely followed the news, testing, development updates, etc. so I'm eager to follow along as the season goes on.