FIA Publishes 2026 F1 Entry List with Sauber Surprise and Cadillac Debut

The FIA has released the official entry list for the 2026 Formula 1 season, confirming 11 teams and revealing a final, surprising appearance of the Sauber name alongside the debut of the Cadillac works team. The list also shows significant team rebranding and notable driver number changes, including Lando Norris adopting the #1 and Max Verstappen switching to #3.

Why it matters:

The entry list is the formal blueprint for the upcoming season, locking in team identities, driver line-ups, and technical partnerships. The persistence of the Sauber name on the legal document highlights the complex transition to Audi's full ownership, while Cadillac's inclusion marks the first new constructor entry since Haas in 2016, expanding the grid and introducing new competition.

The Details:

• Sauber's Final Bow: Despite the team operating as the Audi Revolut F1 Team, the entry list legally registers the entity as "Sauber Motorsport AG." This indicates the administrative process of the name change is still ongoing, granting the historic Sauber name one last appearance on the official F1 charter.
• Major Team Rebranding: Multiple teams have updated their formal racing names for 2026, reflecting new commercial partnerships:
  • McLaren Mastercard F1 Team: A full title sponsorship, the team's first since the Vodafone era.
  • TGR Haas F1 Team: A new title partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR).
  • Audi Revolut F1 Team: The finalized name for the German manufacturer's works entry.
• Notable Driver Number Changes: Reigning world champion Lando Norris will use #1, as per tradition. Max Verstappen will not revert to #33 but will instead take the #3, last used by Daniel Ricciardo. The only rookie on the list is 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad (#41), who replaces the Red Bull-promoted Isack Hadjar at Visa Cash App RB.
• Veteran Returns: Sergio Perez (#11) and Valtteri Bottas (#77) are confirmed for comebacks, spearheading the new Cadillac Formula 1 Team's driver line-up after sitting out the 2025 season.

The Big Picture:

The 2026 grid solidifies a period of significant flux in F1's commercial and competitive landscape. Audi's full integration, Cadillac's arrival, and strengthened title partnerships for established teams like McLaren and Haas underscore the sport's growing commercial appeal. The driver market has also stabilized, with veteran experience being chosen for the new Cadillac project and promising rookies like Lindblad getting their shot.

What's Next:

All eyes now turn to pre-season testing and the car launches for the 2026 campaign. The focus will be on how quickly Cadillac can get up to speed as a new constructor and whether Audi can translate its long-term investment into immediate performance. The revised team dynamics and driver pairings set the stage for a pivotal season under the sport's new technical regulations.