The publication of the Official entry list for the 2026 Formula 1 season The FIA's statement has cleared up all doubts about the numbers that each driver will wear and the final names of the teams, constructors, and engine manufacturers. This document, which formally establishes the grid configuration, confirms not only the 22 drivers and 11 teams, but also several new developments that add significant excitement to the sporting and image aspects.
Beyond simply listing the participants, the list helps to understand how the distribution of personal numbers, changes in team identity and new technical partnerships. With the Cadillac entranceWith Sauber's transformation into Audi and the arrival of the Red Bull Ford power unit, the 2026 season kicks off with a grid where the official numbers help to put a name and number to a new stage of F1.
Official F1 grid numbers for 2026
The chapter of race numbers It arrives in 2026 with several striking changes, but perfectly integrated into the current regulations. Since 2014, drivers have chosen a fixed number that accompanies them throughout their career in the category, with two clear exceptions: the Number 1, reserved for the reigning world champion if you decide to use it, and the 17th, retired as a permanent tribute to Jules Bianchi after his fatal accident.
In this context, the change that attracts the most attention is that of champion Lando NorrisHe will be setting aside, at least temporarily, his familiar number 4 to inscribe his name in the record books with the number 1. This number is a symbol of the current champion and, although it is not mandatory to use it, Norris has opted for take advantage of the privilege that the title grants him, following in the footsteps of other champions who decided to wear that iconic number.
The other major change features... Max VerstappenAfter several seasons defending the number 1 as world champion and having previously been identified with 33, the Dutchman has decided to make a change and request the FIA to number 3That number belonged until recently to Daniel Ricciardo, so the federation had to manage the change within the rules that stipulate a number can only be reused after at least two seasons without it appearing on the grid. With Ricciardo's departure from Racing Bulls, that number 3 became available, and the FIA has authorized Verstappen's choice.
This type of movement illustrates how The current regulations combine rigidity and some flexibility.Each driver retains their number unless otherwise agreed upon and approved by the FIA, but the champion can opt for number 1, and inactive numbers can be reinstated provided the required deadlines are met. The most visible consequence is that F1 has become accustomed to identifying drivers by their number as much as by their helmet, something particularly relevant for the European and Spanish public who follow the category season after season.
Another case that has generated much discussion is that of Franco ColapintoThe Argentinian will continue to compete with the number 43, the same number he used when he arrived in F1 and which he kept at both Williams and Alpine. This number has a strong emotional component, as he uses it as tribute to his father, Aníbal Colapintowho raced with that number in the Turismo Nacional series. A few weeks ago, the driver hinted at a possible change on social media, but the official FIA list finally confirms that he will remain loyal to number 43.
The grill is also being revamped with the arrival of the debutante Arvid Lindbladwho will wear number 41 in his first season in the top category with Racing Bulls. At 18 years old, the Briton arrives in F1 backed by his time in the Red Bull Junior program since 2021 and by a solid performance in Formula 2where he finished the season with three wins, two additional podiums, and a total of 134 points, securing sixth place in the championship. Lindblad joins the Faenza-based team as a replacement for Isack Hadjar, who moves up to Red Bull to partner Verstappen in 2026.
The list of bib numbers also includes other details of interest, such as the Sergio Pérez continues with the number 11 And Valtteri Bottas with number 77 in his return to the grid with Cadillac. Both reclaim the numbers with which they have been identified for much of their Formula 1 careers, reinforcing the idea that the number is now a personal brand for both the drivers and the fans who follow them from Europe and Latin America.
It should be remembered that the Number 17 officially remains retired And he does not appear on the entry list. The FIA is thus maintaining its tribute to Jules Bianchi, the last driver to die as a result of an accident in a Formula 1 Grand Prix. That number will not be assigned to any new competitor in 2026 or in the future, something that has become a widely accepted sign of respect in the paddock.
Changes in team names and compositions
Alongside the allocation of race numbers, the FIA has made public the Official list of F1 2026 team names and their respective engine manufacturers, where high-profile arrivals, internal restructurings, and changes primarily linked to sponsorship are all taking place. One of the most significant developments is the emergence of Audi as a full-fledged team, taking over on-track duties from Sauber.
The document sent by the FIA confirms that the team will compete under the name Audi Revolut F1 TeamThis is the result of an agreement with a fintech company that lends its name to the racing team. However, from a legal standpoint, Sauber Motorsport AG continues to be listed as a companyThe administrative process of changing the name has not yet been completed. This creates a curious situation: the historic Swiss name remains on official documents, while on the track the Audi brand will take center stage, both on the car's bodywork and in public communications.
The entry of Cadillac Formula 1 Team This marks another key point in the 2026 entry list. The American brand joins as the eleventh team on the grid, expanding the number of participants and adding a new player to the sporting and commercial battle. In the official list, it appears partnered with Ferrari as an engine supplier and with two old acquaintances from F1 Behind the wheel: Sergio Pérez and Valtteri Bottas, who return after a year away from competition and do so keeping their usual numbers, 11 and 77 respectively.
Beyond these structural changes, several teams have updated their official name to to integrate their main sponsors more visiblyHaas is now registering as TGR Haas F1 TeamReflecting the alliance with Toyota, Ferrari adopts the name Scuderia Ferrari HP; Williams presents itself as Atlassian Williams Racing; and McLaren appears as McLaren Mastercard F1 Team. All these variations reflect the growing influence of commercial agreements on the naming of the teams.
The rest of the lineups maintain the familiar foundation, although with some nuances. BWT Alpine F1 Team It retains the partnership with BWT and the Mercedes engine, while Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team It sports the Honda logo as its new engine supplier. For Spanish fans, the name Aston Martin holds special interest, as it's the team of Fernando Alonso (number 14), who will continue to be one of the leading European drivers on the grid alongside other established names.
Official team and engine manufacturers' names for 2026
The FIA list details how the relationship between racing teams and engine manufacturers looking ahead to 2026. These are the official designations that appear in the document:
- Oracle Red Bull Racing (Red Bull) – Motor: Red Bull Ford
- Scuderia Ferrari HP (Ferrari) – Engine: Ferrari
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team (Mercedes) – Engine: Mercedes
- BWT Alpine F1 Team (Alpine) – Engine: Mercedes
- McLaren Mastercard F1 Team (McLaren) – Engine: Mercedes
- Audi Revolut F1 Team (Audi) – Engine: Audi
- Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team (Aston Martin) – Engine: Honda
- TGR Haas F1 Team (Haas) – Engine: Ferrari
- Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team – Engine: Red Bull
- Atlas Williams Racing (Williams) – Engine: Mercedes
- Cadillac Formula 1 Team – Engine: Ferrari
Among them all, the most outstanding is the commitment of Red Bull for developing its own power unit alongside Ford. The Red Bull Ford name signals the end of the official partnership with Honda for the Milton Keynes-based team. From 2026, Red Bull and Racing Bulls will use this new power unit, while Honda will partner with Aston Martin as their engine supplier. This change in power distribution could have a significant impact on the performance of the front of the grid; it is part of All the changes that F1 is preparing for its new cycle.
In the case of Audi, the list confirms that the German brand will simply be listed as "Audi" in the engine sectionLeaving behind Sauber's time as a Ferrari customer, the project is now established as an integrated manufacturer, responsible for both the chassis and the power unit, similar to what Mercedes or Ferrari do. For European fans, accustomed to associating Audi with endurance racing and other competitions, its presence in F1 represents another step in the brand's sporting expansion.
Additional details of the official registration
Beyond the big headlines, the publication of the list of participants offers several Interesting nuances related to the identity of drivers and teamsFor example, in the personal names section, the FIA has registered Fernando Alonso without his second surname, Díaz, which had appeared in other documents previously. Something similar happens with Sergio Pérez, who is no longer listed with the full name Mendoza and is now shown only with his first name and surname.
These types of administrative adjustments may seem minor, but they influence how data is collected in official systems, race entries, and the documentation consulted by the public and the media in Europe and the rest of the world. At the same time, they solidify how drivers present themselves internationally, something especially relevant in global categories like Formula 1, where Personal branding is also built through name and jersey number..
With eleven teams fully registered, a new engine supplier like Red Bull Ford, the arrival of Audi and Cadillac, and several other notable moves in the official 2026 bib numbersThe season is shaping up to be a turning point in the sporting and commercial balance of F1. The FIA entry list thus becomes a kind of snapshot of a constantly evolving championship, where every number, every team name, and every technical partnership shapes the landscape on which the title will be contested.
