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These F1 races will benefit the most from the 2026 car changes

Fastway1
December 9, 2025
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FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2022 — Photo by demarco.alessio@gmail.com

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One of the largest resets the sport has ever attempted is represented by the 2026 Formula 1 regulations. The objective is straightforward: produce closer racing and more overtaking with smaller, lighter cars, significantly reduced aerodynamic wake, active aero, and a 50/50 hybrid power split.

We already have a solid understanding of which kinds of circuits stand to gain the most based on how the new car concept operates, even though no one will truly know the impact until the cars hit the track. It's interesting to note that many tight, technical, and aero-sensitive tracks may finally enable the kind of racing for which they were intended, not just high-speed venues.

The races that are most likely to get better when the 2026 cars arrive are broken down here.

Why the 2026 design should improve racing

The key 2026 changes that matter for racing quality are:

  • Smaller, lighter cars that rotate better through slow corners
  • Reduced downforce & drag, reducing the turbulent “dirty air” problem
  • Active aerodynamics replacing the static DRS model
  • A new electric “override” boost that gives following cars extra power when within a certain time window
  • Greater agility at low speeds
  • Simplified aero surfaces, making wake effects less disruptive

Taken together, these changes target F1’s biggest raceability issues: cars too big for street circuits, too aero-dependent in fast corners, and too restricted in long-straight battles.

1. Tight street circuits

The biggest winners of the new era

These tracks currently suffer the most from car size and lack of space. With 2026’s smaller, more agile chassis, even a modest improvement in maneuverability could transform the quality of racing.

Monaco Grand Prix

This is the headline case. Monaco’s cars grew wider and heavier over the last decade, while its streets stayed exactly the same. As a result, overtaking is almost nonexistent.
Smaller cars and improved low-speed agility won’t suddenly turn the race into a non-stop overtaking festival — but they should make it easier for drivers to pressure rivals, position themselves better, and force mistakes. Even small gains mean a lot at Monaco.

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Singapore Grand Prix

Another tight street track that currently produces limited overtaking. The 2026 regulations should help cars stay closer through the technical middle sector, making turn 5 and turn 7 more viable attack zones.

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Azerbaijan Grand Prix

The castle section is famously narrow and awkward for modern F1 cars. Smaller dimensions will help.
But the real benefit comes from the new active aero + electric override combination on Baku’s enormous main straight. Expect bigger closing speeds and more divebomb attempts into turn 1.

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Las Vegas Grand Prix

A track combining street-circuit corners with massive straights. Lower drag and higher electric boost should significantly improve overtaking, while a smaller car footprint helps through the 90-degree braking zones.

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2. Flowing, aero-sensitive circuits

Where following closely has been nearly impossible

These are tracks where fast corners punish the chasing car, making race pace spread out and overtaking rare. Because 2026 cars will generate less dirty air and rely less on ground effect, they should be able to follow through high-speed sections more effectively.

Suzuka (Japanese GP)

Perhaps the most aero-sensitive circuit in the world. Currently, drivers lose grip through the opening Esses when following another car, killing overtaking chances later in the lap.

The 2026 design aims to reduce this effect — and Suzuka could become one of the best tests of the new era.

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Barcelona GP (Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya)

Even with layout changes, Barcelona still suffers from long, loaded corners where wake turbulence destroys front-end grip. If 2026 cars truly produce less aero disturbance, this is one race that could see a dramatic improvement in raceability.

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Circuit of the Americas (Austin)

Austin mixes Suzuka-style complexes with heavy braking zones. The first sector has long been difficult for chasing drivers. With less aero sensitivity and improved mid-corner stability, cars should stay close through the Esses, opening up chances into turn 11 and turn 12.

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Red Bull Ring (Austrian GP)

Already a strong overtaking track, but 2026 could make it even better. Cars should sit closer through the middle sector and then use active aero + override to launch moves into turn 3 or turn 4.

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Hungaroring (Hungarian GP)

Often compared to “Monaco without walls,” this track is notoriously difficult for overtaking because of tight corners and long aero-sensitive sequences.
The combination of smaller cars and reduced downforce reliance could finally inject life into the Hungarian GP’s race action.

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3. Long-straight power tracks

Where active aero and electric boost could shine

Tracks dominated by long straights should benefit from the new low-drag active aero mode (“X-mode”) and override boost, which help following cars gain higher top-speed deltas compared to today’s DRS.

Monza (Italian GP)

The Temple of Speed is built for slipstreaming — and 2026 cars may supercharge this effect. Expect bigger braking duels into turn 1 with less drag and more electric deployment.

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Baku (Azerbaijan GP) — again

Baku appears twice on this list because it uniquely contains:

  • extremely tight corners
  • one of the longest straights in F1

Few tracks stand to gain more from 2026.

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Mexico City Grand Prix

Thin air reduces downforce and increases straightspeed differences. With active aero and higher electric power, we may see more dramatic moves into turn 1.

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Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah)

Fast, flowing and filled with near-flat-out sections. Active aero should allow drivers to trim drag aggressively on these sections and then regain stability for the blind corners.

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4. Tracks designed for the 2026 era

Madrid (2026 Spanish Grand Prix) and the new generation

The Spanish Grand Prix will relocate to Madrid, a state-of-the-art hybrid semi-street track built with the new rules in mind, starting in 2026.

Madrid may serve as a showcase for what the younger generation is capable of because it is being built around the realities of smaller, more electric, active-aero vehicles. Because circuits like this are designed for the modern era from the start, they are probably going to be beneficial.

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A realistic note: not every track will magically transform

It’s important to stay grounded:

  • Some circuits may still struggle with energy constraints or strategic imbalances.
  • If the 2026 power units become too energy-limited, very long straights might see capped speeds.
  • Teams will innovate — and could find ways to rebuild aero performance that narrows the intended racing gains.
  • Until cars hit the track, all predictions remain educated analysis, not guarantees.

Still, the overall direction suggests that 2026 will help many circuits that have suffered most under the current generation of heavy, aero-sensitive cars.

Final thoughts

The 2026 rules are intended to unleash racing potential that the current Formula 1 vehicles are just unable to provide. Tight street circuits might be able to breathe at last. Technical tracks at high speeds could have a sizable fan base. Large electric-boost battles may replace DRS trains on long straights.

Even though no rule change is flawless, 2026 could change the way some races play out and bring excitement back to long-boring circuits.

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