As 22 drivers prepare to battle across 21 countries, the 2026 season promises to be a high-stakes showdown where a single split-second decision can define a championship. F1 officially picked back up on Sunday, March 9, 2026. After last season where McLaren driver Lando Norris emerged victorious, anticipation was high for the next to start.
Contrarily to last year’s five rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver (Ollie) Bearman, Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Jack Doohan, this year, all drivers are returning drivers except for Racing Bulls’ new rookie Arvid Lindblad. Some recognizable names on the circuit this year include Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and George Russell.
While the drivers are not on the track their lives seem quite interesting. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc got married to his girlfriend of three years, Alexandra Saint Mleux, on February 28 in Monaco after getting engaged in November of 2025. Rumors of the marriage started when the two were spotted driving around in a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa in clothes fit for a wedding. The couple confirmed their marriage on Instagram two days later. IB sophomore Charvi Batchu was “thrilled” when she found out because she “love[s] the couple.”
To talk more about the sport itself, the first race, the Australian Grand Prix, was interesting. Races typically start off with free practice sessions where teams spend time testing their cars. Then there is qualifying where starting positions are determined by fastest lap times. On Sunday is the grand prix where the winner is determined by who crosses the finish line first after completing the required number of laps. During qualifying, Russell finished in p1, Antonelli in p2, Hadjar in p3, and unfortunately Verstappen in p20 due to a crash. On a better note during the prix he managed to end in p6. Both Russell and Antonelli kept their places but unfortunately Hadjar did not finish due to a battery issue. IB sophomore Taanvi Madamsetty loves “Kimi” and is “so proud of him.” Ferrari on the other hand stepped up with Leclerc in 3rd and Hamilton in 4th.
Excitement is building for the next races. Russell is favored by many to win this year’s championship, but others are hoping for Hamilton to take it. Ferrari seems to be locking in compared to last season, but Batchu, a Ferrari supporter, is “considering switching to Mercedes,” because she is a fan of “both drivers.” I guess we will have to see how this season goes.