The new season is nearly here

Thanks for scanning the QR code and I hope you're pleased with the 2026 Greatest Grand Prix Calendar! 

February is a busy month for Formula 1 - we have the rest of the car launches before two of the most important winter testing sessions ever - these new regulations are huge.

CAR REVEALS

  • February 2nd - Mercedes launch
  • Feb 3rd - Williams launch (please, c'mon guys!)
  • Feb 8th - Cadillac launch (interesting....)
  • Feb 9th - McLaren & Aston Martin (the champs and also Newey's new car)

TESTING

  • Feb 11-13th - Testing at Bahrain (getting tense)
  • Feb 18th-20th - Testing at Sakhir (this is the one to watch for!)

DRIVE TO SURIVE

  • Yep, DTS is back too, on February 27th, a great way to whet the appetite ahead of a new season! 

SEASON STARTS

  • March 6th-8th - Australian Grand Prix

In case you missed it - here's the run down of the 12 drivers featured for 2026 and the stories behind them.

 

Our 12 "Champagne Tasters"

  • January

    Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes

    Lewis has more podiums than any other driver in the history of F1. Mercedes also have the record for most team podiums in a season, a total of 33 in 2019 with Hamilton and Bottas dominating in that year.

  • February

    Richie Ginther / Ferrari

    Ginther took Ferrari’s first podium in 1961 in this beautiful ‘Sharknose’ car. The Italian team have attained a record number of 834 podiums. The most in the history of the sport.

  • March

    Michael Schumacher

    Another Formula 1 great - Schumacher has the 2nd highest total of podiums. He is the only driver to have ever had a 100% record for a season. In 2002 he finished on the podium in every single one of the 17 races.

  • April

    Fernando Alonso

    Fernando took his first podium in 2003 and his most recent, at the time of writing, was 2023, a record in itself. A fitting testament to the driving force that is Fernando Alonso.

  • May

    Jim Clark

    It was far more challenging in the 1950’s & 60’s to be consistently on a Grand Prix podium, in fact it was an achievement in itself to finish at all! Clark though, graced the podium for nine of the ten races in 1963.

  • June

    Senna, Prost & McLaren

    The Senna & Prost rivalry is well documented, as is the domination of the McLaren team during the late 80’s. It was in 1988, with the MP4/4, that they made the podium their own with 15 out of 16 victories and an impressive 10 one-two finishes.

  • July

    Rubens Barrichello

    The ever-popular Brazilian driver may never have won the Championship, but he does have the record for the highest number of podiums, without a Championship.

  • August

    Nico Hulkenberg

    Nico held the record for the most races without a podium until 2025 when he scored a remarkable 3rd place for the Sauber team. He holds the record of 242 races before a podium.

  • September

    Juan Manuel Fangio

    Racing careers were far shorter in Fangio’s era. So it’s even more impressive, that despite competing in just 51 races, he took the podium 35 times. 

  • October

    Max Verstappen

    Max Verstappen is a modern legend of the sport. He continues to collect records, victories and more podiums! He is presently the record holder for the youngest podium finisher at just 18yrs and 228 days.

  • November

    Patrick Depailler

    Patrick had the frustration of the most podiums before that elusive first victory – a total of 15 times before rising to the top step. A record he shares with Lando Norris, Jean Alesi, Mika Hakkinen and Eddie Irvine.

  • December

    Martin Brundle

    Martin’s voice is synonymous with modern Formula 1 coverage, but before talking a lot, he raced a lot too. Competing in over 150 Grands Prix, taking part in 91 races before tasting that champagne!

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