F1 fans choose who they think will win the 2026 title with Lando Norris receiving just 4% of votes

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Formula 1 fans around the world are starting to get their predictions in for the 2026 championship, and they have chosen their world champion.

Lando Norris will sport the number one on his McLaren in 2026 after beating Max Verstappen by just two points in 2025. The Brit will be looking to defend his crown in what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons in F1 history.

The 2026 technical regulations have thrown a huge challenge to the 11 teams as they scramble to build the fastest package. With pre-season testing done, people are starting to guess who the title contenders will be.

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‘Everyone’ said Mercedes were the fastest team in Bahrain testing, proving the theory that they had the best power unit coming into the season as correct. It would put George Russell and Kimi Antonelli in the mix as early favourites.

With that, defending champions McLaren will be looking strong as well, with Norris and Oscar Piastri looking to battle for the title again. Franz Tost thinks Piastri can challenge in 2026 as his collapse in 2025 will help him bounce back.

Ferrari and Red Bull will certainly be near the front too, creating what is set to be a tense title fight. But F1 fans see an overwhelming favourite to clinch the 2026 championship.

F1 fans choose Lewis Hamilton as the 2026 champion with Lando Norris receiving just 4% of votes

F1 Oversteer put out a poll to fans to pick who they think would win the 2026 title. Drivers from the top four teams – Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull – were included for people to select, as well as the option of ‘someone else’.

At the time of writing, the fans are backing Lewis Hamilton to clinch the title for Ferrari. The seven-time champion received just shy of a third of the vote, with people expressing huge optimism for his season after seeing pre-season testing.

Ferrari certainly made an impression in Bahrain, particularly with their rapid practice starts. One excited fan commented: “Well, Lewis Hamilton with a car that he can RACE in. The whole pack better beware we have a PROPER racing driver in a race car. WOW.”

Verstappen is second with almost 700 votes, with Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, just pipping Russell for third in the poll. Interestingly, McLaren’s Piastri and Norris followed, with the Aussie being backed more by the fans.

Norris received just 4% of the vote, with fans seemingly not backing the 25-year-old to defend his crown. With McLaren being the fourth-best team in Bahrain, according to the F1 paddock, he might not be in a position to do so.

Very few people backed Antonelli or Isack Hadjar to be the 2026 champion, with the latter receiving less than 1% of the vote. Given the track record of the second Red Bull seat, it is not surprising to see.

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

Can Lewis Hamilton win his eighth world championship with Ferrari in 2026?

Hamilton has been searching for his record-breaking eighth title since he controversially missed out to Verstappen in 2021. He has struggled to find consistent performance since then, with the ground effect era not suiting his driving style.

2025 was arguably his worst season to date, going without a podium for the first time in a calendar year. The 2026 rule changes are just the reset he needs, with Alex Albon saying the regulations will suit Hamilton best.

Judging by Ferrari’s development so far, the Brit might have the tools to compete. David Croft called Hamilton’s car a ‘rocket launcher’ after seeing how fast his SF-26 propelled off the grid and into the lead at the first corner.

Hamilton is getting closer to Leclerc, having brought down the gap massively during pre-season testing. The car is more responsive, which the 41-year-old has been calling for, and it could be the machine that guides him to F1 history.