Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert agree on who is the ‘dark horse’ for the 2026 F1 title

Follow us on Google Discover

As pre-season testing rapidly approaches, many people are already getting their predictions in for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Lando Norris comes into the year as the defending champion, having beaten Max Verstappen by just two points. Oscar Piastri finished third after leading the standings for 15 race weekends.

McLaren secured back-to-back constructors’ championships in 2025 and will be looking to continue where they left off in 2026. But the new regulations could throw that into disarray as the teams scramble to build the best car for the rule changes.

The countdown is on — which 2026 challenger are you most excited to see? 👀

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

It is almost impossible to predict who will come out on top at this stage, given that all the cars have not been seen on track yet.

But that has not stopped F1 fans from naming their 2026 title contenders, and Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert have picked their ‘dark horse’ for the championship.

Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert pick George Russell as their ‘dark horse’ for the 2026 title

Naturally, the McLarens and Verstappen will be the favourites heading into 2026. But Hill and Herbert think that George Russell will be the one to challenge them.

The Brit was the only other driver besides the top three to win a race in 2025, and with rumours that Mercedes have the fastest engine in 2026, he and the team could be in a strong position to win the championship.

Herbert said via the Stay on Track podcast: “I’m probably going to go Mercedes, because I think, as a parent at the moment, I think it’s working very well.

“I think Antonelli’s probably got to improve on his consistency, that’s probably his weakness at the moment.

Will George Russell win the 2026 F1 drivers’ title?

Let us know why in the comments!

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

“George has done a brilliant job for them. I’m sure they’re going to be at the sharp end fighting for race wins and potentially the championship. I tell you what, I’m going to go George.”

Hill added: “Do you know, I think you nicked my answer! Because we’ve been spending so long talking about the usual suspects. And I think there are question marks over Red Bull, I think.

“I would say the dark horse here is George Russell, who performed brilliantly, consistently all year in a car that was not a regular winner. Yeah, I think they’re in a good place.”

Herbert continued: “Yeah, I think they are. And Antonelli proved a lot last year, I think he will be stronger as well. And if the car is a car that’s going to be the dominant force, they have the right pairing from a constructors’ point of view as well. I think it could be a double win for them.”

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert think Aston Martin will be the ‘surprise’ team of 2026

Russell says he’d be a ‘fool’ to think Mercedes will dominate in 2026. The regulation changes are set to bring the field even closer as they fight for supremacy.

It could see a dramatic shift in the pecking order, with some surprise teams making a step towards the front. For Hill and Herbert, that team will be Aston Martin, who are hoping that Adrian Newey and Honda’s expertise will guide them to glory.

“Well, the only one, I suppose, and I don’t know if you call them small or not, is Aston,” said Herbert.

“Aston is the only one that, with the brand that it’s got, but actually, its performance, it’s underperformed in many respects from the name that it’s got. But now it’s that time of Adrian and his team to produce the goods.”

“They can’t complain. They’ve got the resources,” said Hill, before Herbert added: “And they’ve had time. I think the wind tunnel is all sort of up and running.

“So that’s another little tour that’s going to come into play as well. So they’ve made all the right decisions, now it’s implementing the whole package.”