F1 experts predict the 2026 Formula 1 season including whether George Russell can win the title

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Formula 1 returns this weekend for the start of the 2026 season, with the opening race taking us down under to Melbourne. As the new campaign gets underway, our experts have shared their predictions for the year ahead.

Lando Norris enters the season as the reigning world champion after clinching the title at the final race in Abu Dhabi.

The McLaren driver came out on top of a dramatic three-way title fight with teammate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, securing the first championship of his career.

With excitement building ahead of the new season and reports suggesting George Russell and Mercedes could be the team to beat, our experts have revealed who they are backing for 2026.

Read More: Everything we know about F1’s 2026 regulation changes from engines to tyres

Who is winning the 2026 Formula 1 title?

Ben Evans – Max Verstappen: Mercedes might have the fastest car, Ferrari might have built the best power unit to get off the line and many people would argue McLaren have the best driver line-up on the grid. However, Verstappen has proved time and time again that none of that matters, and I would be stunned if he doesn’t win a fifth championship.

David Comerford – George Russell: I think Mercedes will have the best car and Russell is ready. He has shown in the last couple of years that he’s a complete driver.

Ashley Hambly – Charles Leclerc: I think this year will be the year that Ferrari fans are finally given something to celebrate. Charles Leclerc will be taking the drivers’ title home with him after the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi.

Kyle Archer – George Russell: F1 has not crowned back-to-back first-time champions since Jenson Button in 2009 and Sebastian Vettel in 2010. But it is very hard ahead of the 2026 season to look past George Russell following British compatriot Lando Norris by winning his first drivers’ title.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Lando Norris: He has what it takes, even with that late-season collapse last year. If anything, that experience would have taught him exactly where he’s going wrong. Yes, McLaren don’t look to be at their strongest to start the season, but I would not put it past them to figure things out very quickly and get the pace on their side. Realistically, the biggest challenge in Norris’ way is Oscar Piastri and McLaren’s ever-risky ‘Papaya Rules’ strategy.

Tyler Rowlinson – George Russell: Mercedes look incredibly impressive coming into the season, leaving it between the Silver Arrows drivers for the title. Russell’s got the experience, has proven that he can battle the frontrunners, and with the best car behind him, this could be his best chance to become an F1 champion.

Rebecca Braybrook – Oscar Piastri: After a disappointing end to the 2026 season for Piastri, I think he’ll have learned from where things slipped last year and come back stronger than before. The Aussie has shown he has what it takes, and if the McLaren remains competitive, he’ll definitely be a contender.

Luke Newman – George Russell: Mercedes will have the best car this season, which Russell should be able to take advantage of, but he will have to hold off Max Verstappen.

Who will finish the championship in second and third?

Ben Evans – George Russell & Charles Leclerc: Russell could push Verstappen all the way, but the Dutchman’s experience will ultimately shine through. P3 in the championship is probably just good enough for Leclerc to commit his future to Ferrari, who appear to be on the up.

David Comerford – Oscar Piastri & Charles Leclerc: I think Russell will have a decent cushion but it will be extremely close behind. Piastri can reach the next level and outscore Norris, and Leclerc is bound to be up there if Ferrari improves.

Ashley Hambly – Max Verstappen & Lewis Hamilton: Verstappen will certainly be up there again, but will fall short of a genuine challenge and occupy the third spot in the standings. Hamilton will prove to be much more competitive as he takes the runners-up spot.

Kyle Archer – Lando Norris & Max Verstappen: The 2026 F1 season will be a development race, but the expected early advantage of the Mercedes engine should give George Russell enough to win the title. Lando Norris should also be able to build on winning the 2025 title with another top-three finish thanks to the Mercedes engine. But Red Bull’s rate of development will see Max Verstappen beat Oscar Piastri for a top-three slot, no matter what the Australian learnt from his collapse in 2025.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy – George Russell & Max Verstappen: It’s hard to look past just how impressive Mercedes have looked in testing.  George Russell finally has a car that he can compete with at the highest level. But his lack of experience in the upper echelon of F1 is keeping me from picking him as the winner. No matter what anyone says, experience matters. And you can’t win a drivers’ championship without finishing in the top three ever before.

I’ll back Max Verstappen for third. Red Bull look good but something about his initial form last season tells me that their long-term issues aren’t behind them, and a slow start could come back to haunt the three-time champ.

Tyler Rowlinson – Max Verstappen & Kimi Antonelli: 2026 will see the Russell-Verstappen title battle that everyone is hoping for. The Dutchman will take that Red Bull to the absolute limit, but I think Max Verstappen will have to settle for runner-up again.

As for third, that goes to Russell’s teammate Kimi Antonelli. I have high hopes for the Italian in his second season, he’s definitely capable of making the step up.

Rebecca Braybrook – George Russell & Charles Leclerc: The regulation changes will spark a development race between the top teams for the crown and with Mercedes and Ferrari both looking fairly strong in testing, it’s hard to rule out George Russell and Charles Leclerc from the title fight.

Luke Newman – Max Verstappen & Lando Norris: Once again, I believe Max Verstappen will have to settle for second place, but he will push Russell throughout the entire year, and he won’t have enough to beat Mercedes. I will go for the reigning champion in third place. I think McLaren will struggle at the start of the year, but Lando Norris will continue to progress later in the year, but it will be too little, too late.

Which team will take the 2026 constructors’ title?

Ben Evans – Mercedes: This could be incredibly tight, and an ever-improving Kimi Antonelli should do enough to help Russell earn Mercedes their first title since 2021.

David Comerford – McLaren: I’m torn between McLaren and Mercedes. It will go to the last couple of races, but the strength of that Norris/Piastri line-up will pay off against the inexperience of Antonelli.

Ashley Hambly – Ferrari: Two very strong drivers who can secure maximum points for the Scuderia on their day.

Kyle Archer – Mercedes: They begin 2026 with the weight of the world hanging over them to win the constructors’ title, given all of the talk about how strong their car will be under the new regulations. Andrea Kimi Antonelli should also now be able to help George Russell score big points in the Italian’s second year on the grid, after earning 150 to the Briton’s 319 in 2025.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Mercedes: George Russell’s success in the drivers’ championship will help Mercedes’ push for the 2026 constructors’ title, but I also believe Kimi Antonelli will be inside the top five in the standings this year, pushing Mercedes to their first title since 2021.

Tyler Rowlinson – Mercedes: It could be tight at the top this year between multiple teams, but I think Mercedes have the complete package and two drivers that are capable of scoring wins and podiums consistently to bring home the title.

Rebecca Braybrook – McLaren: Although Mercedes look to be at the front of the pack in 2026, I think McLaren will still be able to retain the title for a third consecutive year. The Woking-based squad not only benefit from the Mercedes engine but also have the more experienced driver line-up to help keep them on top.

Luke Newman – Mercedes: George Russell’s success in the drivers championship will help Mercedes’ push for the 2026 constructors’ title, but I also believe Kimi Antonelli will be inside the top five in the standings this year, pushing Mercedes to their first title since 2021.

Who will be the biggest flop in 2026?

Ben Evans – Aston Martin: Unfortunately, this already appears to be written in the stars, but don’t write off Fernando Alonso dragging an underperforming Aston Martin into the points on a couple of occasions.

David Comerford – Aston Martin: I’m sure some of my colleagues have made this choice already, but I can’t look past Aston Martin here. They should have been targeting podiums at a minimum this year. As it is, you wonder when they’ll even score points.

Ashley Hambly – Mercedes: I don’t believe the hype at Mercedes. They’re looking good, but I think Red Bull and McLaren will quickly overtake them in the pecking order.

Kyle Archer – Aston Martin: Picking Aston Martin for the biggest flop in 2026 is too easy, after all of their issues with Honda’s new engine throughout pre-season testing. But given all of the money that Lawrence Stroll has invested, along with hiring design guru Adrian Newey, there is no alternative for the biggest flop, as Aston Martin hoped to be fighting for the title in 2026.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy – Sergio Perez: He just spent a year away from Formula 1, so it’s hard not to pick him. Consistency is everything as a driver, so to have to shake off a year’s worth of rust while representing a new team might be too much for Perez.

Tyler Rowlinson – Lewis Hamilton: It hurts to put the seven-time champion here, but I just can’t see the 2026 regulations changing Hamilton’s fortunes at Ferrari. He has expressed discontent over the rule changes and over the years, he has looked like somebody whose heart isn’t in it anymore. I really hope I’m wrong, but I don’t see Hamilton improving to the point where he is fighting for the championship or consistently winning races.

Rebecca Braybrook – Sergio Perez: I agree with Aaditya that Sergio Perez could be the biggest flop this season. Unfortunately, he had such a difficult spell at Red Bull, and I think he’ll still be battling those gremlins in 2026 while also trying to get to grips with a brand-new car and a completely new team.

Luke Newman – Aston Martin: This didn’t take too much thinking, it will be Aston Martin. It will be a difficult year for Aston Martin as their pre-season woes have been widely documented, but I don’t think even Fernando Alonso and Adrian Newey will be able to save the team’s performance this year.

Name the one driver you think is most likely to lose their F1 seat in 2026 👇

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What is your boldest 2026 prediction?

Ben Evans: Oliver Bearman ends Haas’ wait for a podium – Like Antonelli, Bearman improved immensely during the second half of 2025, and in a competitive-looking Haas, I think he’ll finally see the Banbury-based team stand on the podium this year as he prepares to race for Ferrari in 2027…

David Comerford: If Isack Hadjar ending the second seat curse at Red Bull counts, then I’ll go for that.

Ashley Hambly: Audi will secure multiple podiums this year, and shock everybody by becoming the front-running team of the midfield.

Kyle Archer: The 2026 F1 season could see a number of major announcements, including Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso both deciding to retire. But either calling time would not really be that bold of a prediction, unlike Oliver Bearman securing Haas the first Grand Prix podium in the American outfit’s history to cement his promotion to Ferrari for 2027.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy: Lewis Hamilton will outperform Charles Leclerc. We haven’t seen the kind of fire from Hamilton in his pre-season comments in years, and he might be raring to go and prove that he isn’t done yet. That could be bad news for Leclerc, who has yet to make a real title push over the last few years.

Tyler Rowlinson: Pierre Gasly wins a race for Alpine. Yes, you heard me. Alpine are set to make a huge step forward with Mercedes engines, and if they can get into the right position, or get a bit of luck, Gasly is capable of winning another Grand Prix, and I’m backing that to happen in 2026.

Rebecca Braybrook: I’m definitely on board with everyone who has said Ollie Bearman will score Haas’ maiden podium in 2026, so I’ll go a little more rogue. I’m going to predict that if Williams can turn their fortunes around, we could see a double podium, although I’m really hoping it ends with Albon’s first win.

Luke Newman: Oliver Bearman will feature on a Grand Prix podium. The British driver had an impressive rookie season with Haas, and will continue his momentum into 2026 and will secure his and Haas’ first Formula 1 podium, which will all but secure a move to Ferrari for the 2027 season.

What do you think will be the most shocking 2027 driver announcement?

Ben Evans: Lewis Hamilton to retire from Formula 1 – After causing chaos in the driver market in 2024, if Hamilton can’t get the better of Leclerc this year, he might create another opening at a top team by announcing that it’s 20 seasons and out for F1’s most successful driver.

David Comerford: Carlos Sainz activates his Williams exit clause when he sees how far away they are from the top teams. He joins Audi after their impressive start in F1. I’ll either look like a genius or a fool here!

Ashley Hambly: Oscar Piastri to Aston Martin, following Fernando Alonso’s retirement from F1.

Kyle Archer: The biggest driver announcement during the 2026 F1 season could easily be Lewis Hamilton retiring, yet that would not be that shocking after his woes in recent years. Instead, a potential driver market move that could be seen as shocking is Red Bull offering Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls a second chance in their top team by replacing Isack Hadjar.

Aaditya Krishnamurthy: Oscar Piastri leaves McLaren, presumably to replace Fernando Alonso.

Tyler Rowlinson: Oscar Piastri will leave McLaren. Piastri was hurt by the 2025 season and how McLaren handled papaya rules in the title battle. If nothing changes in 2026 and the Aussie is again second fiddle to Lando Norris, I see him walking away in 2027. Where does he go? My money’s on Ferrari, but Aston Martin or even Red Bull could be options.

Rebecca Braybrook: A significant portion of the grid reportedly has contracts expiring at the end of this season, so I think we could see some real surprises across the board. It almost feels inevitable that we could lose at least Fernando Alonso, if not also Lewis Hamilton, this year, but I think Aston Martin could end up with an entirely new driver pairing in 2027. With Lawrence Stroll reportedly losing interest in the team, Lance Stroll may not be as safe as he once was.

Luke Newman: Now this is a bold one, but Max Verstappen will retire at the end of the year… After finishing second place for a second year in a row, and with a continued hatred for the new era of Formula 1 cars, Verstappen will decide to leave Formula 1 and will go on to compete in a different motorsport discipline.