Way too early predictions for the 2026 Formula 1 season as Lando Norris faces a new title rival

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The 2026 Formula 1 season marks the start of the biggest change to the regulations in history and the beginning of a new era as Lando Norris defends his crown.

Norris comes into 2026 as a world champion for the first time in his career. The McLaren star beat reigning four-time champion Max Verstappen and teammate Oscar Piastri in a showdown in Abu Dhabi, winning the title by two points.

The Brit and McLaren will be looking to defend their titles, but 2026 presents a whole new and unpredictable challenge. The changes to the power unit and aerodynamics have created radical car designs and an unknown pecking order.

F1 teams face a ‘critical issue’ with the new front wing as they scramble to build the fastest car on the grid. Some may be further ahead than others, with Audi and Cadillac joining the sport, having fully focused on their 2026 debuts.

Next season could be the most exciting in F1’s history, and it seems completely asinine to try and predict anything before pre-season testing. But, with that said, here are some incredibly early predictions that could come true in 2026.

George Russell will fight Lando Norris and McLaren for the championship

Heading into 2026, most people will be looking at the McLaren drivers and Verstappen as the favourites for the title. But there is another driver who could easily throw his name into the mix, and that name is George Russell.

The Brit was the only other driver besides Norris, Piastri and Verstappen to win a race in 2025, claiming victory in Canada and Singapore. Finishing fourth, his best season to date, Russell has the momentum and a new contract behind him.

Will George Russell win the 2026 F1 drivers’ title?

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If the rumours are true, he is in the best position to fight for the championship, as Mercedes are said to have the fastest engine under the new regulations. The team are trying to play down that rumour, but the feeling is that they could be set to come out firing on all cylinders as they did in 2014.

Of course, with Mercedes engines, McLaren pose a huge threat. But with Toto Wolff’s full confidence and the top talent he displayed in 2026, he could make a step up and challenge for his first championship.

Lewis Hamilton will score a podium at Ferrari before retiring at the end of the season

Lewis Hamilton and his misfortune at Ferrari will be one of the biggest storylines in 2026, mainly because it could very well be his last season in F1.

Hamilton is on his ‘last chance’ at Ferrari as the team are preparing Oliver Bearman to replace him in 2027. The seven-time champion went without a podium for the first time in his career in 2025 and looked utterly despondent as he struggled to adapt to the car and his new surroundings.

Finish the sentence: Lewis Hamilton will finish the 2026 F1 season in ______

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The ground effect era proved damaging for Hamilton, as he could not get comfortable with the machines. The 2026 rules present a clean slate for both him and Ferrari, who got their development horribly wrong in 2025.

Hamilton is desperate to see change at Ferrari and wants a competitive car. If he gets it, the new rules could be the fresh start and motivation he needs to grab a Grand Prix podium in red before calling time on his incredible career.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

Max Verstappen will not be in the top two of the championship and will leave Red Bull

Verstappen could be a big mover on the F1 driver market in 2026. Red Bull secured his services for next season by continuing to develop the RB21, which saw him make up 102 points in the final nine races.

Under the guidance of Laurent Mekies, the Dutchman is back enjoying himself in Milton Keynes. But 2026 presents a new challenge for Red Bull, as they must show their star driver that he can win races with their in-house power unit.

If he cannot, Verstappen has an exit clause in his contract that allows him to leave Red Bull if he is not in the top two of the standings. The pressure is on the team and Ford to create a strong power unit, but Mercedes could have the upper hand.

Verstappen could fall behind and struggle with the new regulations. It is therefore possible that he activates his exit clause and seeks a move to Mercedes, or he could leave the sport altogether, as he has hinted at in the past.

Fernando Alonso will win a race with Aston Martin

Aston Martin have been backed as one of the teams to make the biggest step in 2026. With Lawrence Stroll’s heavy investment, the Silverstone squad have what they need to be successful.

Adrian Newey as team principal and designing the car, Honda as an engine supplier, and Fernando Alonso, who, at the age of 44, is still capable of fighting the frontrunners, is a lethal project that can be a winning one.

With the right car and motivation, Alonso still has the skill to challenge for race wins, and, provided Aston Martin can give him the tools, a first win since 2013 is entirely possible and would be a hugely celebrated one in the F1 world.