India, March 22 -- The 2026 Formula 1 season is in full swing, with Australia and China done and Japan up next on March 29. As the championship unfolds, paddock style is shifting, moving beyond classic equestrian looks to a sharper blend of heritage and modern trends. As one of the early races of the year unfolded in China, a strong Eastern influence shaped its fashion trend. Alexandra Leclerc (wife of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc) led in a custom Sau Lee qipao-inspired midi dress, embedding Enzo Ferrari's iconic quotes in Chinese characters. Meanwhile, Carmen Montero Mundt (girlfriend of Mercedes' George Russell) reworked her boyfriend's Adidas Tang jacket with denim, minimalist jewellery and sculptural mules. Pro tip: Heritage is the new sustainable. The Mandarin collar works seamlessly for any look. You can style them with voluminous bubble skirts, or switch it up with a mini for a contemporary edge. The season opened with a clear shift towards contrast dressing, where feminine skirts were paired with structured, masculine shirts and jackets. Lily Muni He (fiancee of Atlassian Williams' Alex Albon) captured this aesthetic in a crisp Valentino Garavani shirt styled with a sharp black skirt, classic pumps and a matching bag. Pro tip: Embrace opposites. Skip safe, tone-on-tone looks, go for bold black-and-white, pairing broad-shouldered shirts with flirty slim skirts. Monochrome dressing took a softer, makeshift turn this season, with coordinated separates styled for ease. Lily Zneimer (girlfriend of McLaren's Oscar Piastri) leaned into feminine polish in Australia with a linen corset top and black capris, elevated by a burgundy Bottega Veneta Andiamo bag and matching open-toe heels. Meanwhile, Alicia Torriani (Haas's Oliver Bearman's girlfriend) echoed the mood with a corset waistcoat and tailored trousers, grounding the look with black heeled sandals and a matching bag. Pro tip: Make monochrome your own, keep it playful and elevate tonal looks with the right accessories. With inputs from designer Rina Dhaka...