Three things to watch ahead of the 2026 F1 season

Lando Norris's success with McLaren in ending Max Verstappen's four-year reign as world champion on Sunday ushered in a winter of radical change for Formula One.

The 26-year-old Briton's title win at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix came in the final race before new cars and technical changes arrive in 2026 –- and signalled an end to a "winning by any means" culture in the sport.

AFP Sport looks at three things to watch going into next season:

CAN NORRIS STICK TO DOING IT HIS WAY?

Norris said he won the title his way and with a team that respected its own "papaya rules" of equality under immense pressure.

His triumph prompted a wave of emotion not only for his win, but the way in which he won and then managed the impact of the occasion.

"I feel like I have managed to win it the way I wanted to win it, which was not by being someone I'm not. Not trying to be as aggressive as Max or as forceful as other champions might have been in the past –- whatever it may be.

"My style (is) of just trying to be a good person and a good team member."

Yesterday, a little kid's dream came true 🥺✨#McLaren pic.twitter.com/FbuBAIIgnt — McLaren (@McLarenF1) December 8, 2025

Even Verstappen, seen by many as a natural heir to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, uncompromising in taking a "killer" approach to the job, as 1996 champion Damon Hill described it, softened his style this year.

The departure from Red Bull of long-serving and successful team boss Christian Horner created a less divisive atmosphere in the paddock too with respect for McLaren's onus on fair racing without team orders setting a new trend for the future.

"I'm not proud because I get to say I am a world champion," added Norris. "I'm proud because I feel like I made a lot of people happy."

His teammate Oscar Piastri showed total respect for McLaren's rulebook during the season, even if he was at times exasperated by his ill fortune, and he will be a strong rival again in 2026 with new teams, cars, rules and line-ups.

MERCEDES FAVOURED TO BE STRONG WITH NEW ENGINE

Mercedes have been tipped to set the pace next season having developed a new power-unit that many of their rivals believe will launch their recovery as a leading team.

The team have been developing and testing for a long period with major investment in the project and expect Kimi Antonelli, who shone in many parts of his rookie season, to rise and challenge George Russell.

The cars will be lighter, smaller and more agile under the new regulations with the weight reduced by 30 kilos. They will also be shorter and slimmer.

Mercedes will supply their own factory team and also McLaren, Williams and Alpine, while Red Bull and sister team Racing Bulls will run Red Bull Powertrains, their own development following the break from Honda.

Ferrari will run their own engines as always and will continue to supply Haas and power the new Cadillac team.

AUDI HOPE TO JOIN AS SERIOUS CONTENDERS

After a mixed 2025 season ended with one podium, but only 70 points, Audi -– formerly Sauber -– hope to become a serious midfield contender in 2026. They finished ninth ahead only of Alpine in the season just gone.

Audi will have an unchanged driver line-up of Nico Hulkenberg, who started his 250th Grand Prix on Sunday, and Gabriel Bortoleto, while new boys Cadillac, bringing in much American cash and colour with the backing of GM, will rely on the experience of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez.

Verstappen will have a new Red Bull teammate after the promotion of Isack Hadjar from Racing Bulls, following an outstanding rookie season. His seat will be taken by 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad alongside Liam Lawson.

The era-ending switch to new cars was welcomed by many drivers, but notably by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton after a dismal debut season at Ferrari.

Of his record 105 wins, only two have come since the end of 2021.

Teammate Charles Leclerc said the team, without a drivers' title since 2007, faced a "now or never" moment this winter.