The 2026 Grid:
11 Teams, 22 Drivers
Every team builds their own car. Every driver fights for their own glory. Here is how the F1 grid is structured.
Understanding the Grid
Formula 1 is unique because it is a constructor's championship. Unlike other series where teams buy identical cars, every F1 team must design and build their own chassis. However, not all teams build their own engines.
Works Teams (like Ferrari, Mercedes, and the new Audi team) manufacture both the car and the Power Unit. They have total control over the package. Customer Teams (like McLaren or Williams) build their own car but buy the Power Unit from a manufacturer (e.g., McLaren uses Mercedes engines).
For 2026, the grid expands to 11 teams with the arrival of Cadillac. This is significant because F1 has been capped at 10 teams for a decade. A larger grid means more cars on track, more traffic in qualifying, and more competition for points.
The 2026 Grid
The 2026 season sees the arrival of Audi (taking over Sauber) and the new 11th team, Cadillac.
Oracle Red Bull Racing
WorksFerrari
WorksMercedes
WorksMcLaren
CustomerAston Martin
Works (Honda)Audi
WorksWilliams
CustomerAlpine
CustomerRB
CustomerHaas
CustomerCadillac
New EntryHow many drivers are in F1?
There are 22 full-time race drivers (2 per team across 11 teams). Each team also has reserve drivers who step in if a main driver is sick or injured.
Do teams share cars?
No. Each driver has their own dedicated car and crew of mechanics. However, the two cars in a team are identical in design and must follow the same technical specifications.