Formula One implemented a rule change that makes the cars smaller and faster, forcing a huge switch up for the 2026 drivers.The last set of regulations meant F1 cars were getting bigger and it made the concept of overtaking without any contact more difficult.Hamilton is about to started his second season with the ScuderiaGettyBut now, the minimum weight of cars has been reduced by 30kg, the width narrowed by 100mm, tyres are smaller and there is low drag thanks to new aerodynamics rules.The sport’s push towards sustainability has also meant there is now a 50-50 power split between electric and petrol.Drivers can recharge the battery of their car under braking or when they lift off the throttle at the end of a straight.The drag reductive system, often referred to as DRS, has also been scrapped.In its place is ‘Overtake Mode’, which will give drivers a boost if they are within one second of a rival.However, ‘Overtake Mode’ will only be active at certain detection points around the track.Cars will also have ‘Active Aero’, which allows for movable front and rear wings.The key benefit of ‘Active Aero’ is that drivers will be able to decrease drag and improve their top speed when on straights.Drivers can only use ‘Active Aero’ within designated areas dotted around the circuit.Another tweak for drivers is ‘Boost Mode’, which can be used at any point during a lap.George Russell is the bookies favourite to win the championship this yearGettyFans will also notice flashing lights on the car, although those are purely for safety reasons.Rear lights will reflect the energy levels of the battery so that the car following will be able to prepare itself if the car were to just stop and break down.They can also signal a safety car or that a car has been fitted with intermediate or wet tyres.The lateral safety lights will only be used if there’s a spin or an accident.Who will be the winners and losers with the new changes?Given the complexity of the 2026 rules, the FIA has suggested the drivers will be able to make a bigger difference than before.An advantage for new British Formula 1 driver, Arvid Lindblad, is that he knows no different to these regulations and won’t have to adjust himself like the usual drivers will have to.McLaren have won the Constructors for the last two years in a rowGettyFor Max Verstappen, even though the cars are technically faster and more agile, he prefers a more ruthless car that feels on the edge.These cars are not going to be on the limit due to the battery power, meaning the four-time World Champion will have to ‘lift and coast’ in areas he would never usually, in order to avoid running out of energy or crashing the car.The challenge of the new rules may award brains over raw talent and in Woking, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have a very different driving styles.The Australian driver is often described to be smoother and has a more neutral car balance while Norris thrives on late-breaking, high grip and an aggressive style.Nevertheless, Piastri has struggled with tyre management since joining F1, so having to control the battery might be another issue for the Melbourne-born driver to get used to.The real brains will be with the veteran drivers like seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton and two-time winner Fernando Alonso.Ferrari and Mercedes are rumoured to be the fastest car in MelbourneGettyThe pair have experienced regulation changes throughout their career and should understand the best way to adapt to the new rules.What do the drivers think?Verstappen, has stated his dislike for the new cars during testing in Bahrain.He said: “To drive, they’re not a lot of fun, to be honest. I would say the right word is management. It’s not very Formula 1-like.“It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids. But the rules are the same for everyone, so you have to deal with that.”Additionally, Hamilton has shared the new regulations are ‘ridiculously complex’.He said: “I sat in a meeting the other day and they’re taking us through it. And yeah, it’s like you need a degree to fully understand it all.“If you look at Barcelona, for example, we’re doing 600 metres lift and coast on a qualifying lap. “That’s not what racing is about. Here (in Bahrain), we’re not having to do that because there’s lots of braking zones.”Meanwhile, the current world champion disagreed with the pair.“It’s a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it,” Norris stated.Norris became the 12th British driver to be crowned F1 champion and will drive with number 1 car this seasonGettyThe British star added: “Formula 1 changes all the time. Sometimes it’s a bit better to drive, sometimes it’s not as good to drive.“We get paid a stupid amount of money to drive, so you can’t really complain at the end of the day.“It’s different. You have to drive it in a different way and understand things differently and manage things differently.“But I still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun, so nothing to complain about.”However, no one knows what will happen and who will set the timing charts on fire until the Australian Grand Prix.The race weekend for the 2026 F1 season opener will begin on Friday, March 6 with race day on Sunday, March 8.Australian Grand Prix: Full scheduleAll times UKFriday, March 61:30am: Australian Grand Prix Practice One3:30am: Australian Grand Prix Teams Press Conference5:00am: Australian Grand Prix Practice TwoSaturday, March 71:30am: Australian Grand Prix Practice Three5:00am: Australian Grand Prix Qualifying6:00am: Australian Grand Prix Drivers Press Conference Sunday, March 82:00am: Australian Grand Prix Drivers Parade4:00am: Australian Grand PrixIn the UK, qualifying gets underway at 5am on Saturday, March 7, and Lights Out are at 4am on Sunday, March 8.The entire race weekend will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 with build up to the race starting at 2:30am.Fans can also catch highlights of the race on Channel 4 at 9pm on Sunday night.talkSPORT and talkSPORT.com will also be across all the latest build-up, news and reaction from Melbourne.To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.