F1 News: 2026 to be a season of 'many changes'

(GMM) Aston Martin ambassador Pedro de la Rosa (pictured) believes Formula 1’s sweeping 2026 regulation reset could shake up the competitive order race by race, creating a genuine opportunity for teams that have recently been on the back foot.

Speaking to El Larguero on Cadena SER, the Spaniard said the coming season will look nothing like recent campaigns where focus quickly shifted to the following year.

“I think it’s going to be a year of many changes,” de la Rosa explained.

“The teams that start at the front are very likely to alternate, to become less dominant, to have changes. You’re going to be constantly introducing improvements. It won’t be like this year, when halfway through the season everyone was already thinking about next year.”

He expects development to be relentless.

“The upgrades you can bring in 2026 are going to be very aggressive, because it’s a completely new set of regulations,” de la Rosa said. “Those who do well in the first or second race might not be there in the fifth, or vice versa. The team that wins will be the one that best develops the car throughout the 24 races.”

With Aston Martin strengthened technically and Adrian Newey having penned the team’s first car of the new era, de la Rosa sees a rare opening. “A rule change this drastic doesn’t happen very often,” he said.

“It’s so drastic on every level. It’s an opportunity for teams like ours that have been at a disadvantage, because it levels the playing field and makes us all start from scratch.”

Still, he cautioned against hype.

“You talk to any team these days and they’re all world champions,” de la Rosa smiled. “That’s why I like to keep my feet on the ground. But we’re working very well, we’ve strengthened the squad, and we’re incredibly excited.”