F1 (2026)

[Wizard]

Russell for me could be a bit of a dark horse for the title right now, but if Mercedes are on it from the off this time, I think he might become favourite if he can keep up form as I think he seems pretty confident all the time.

Hoping Hamilton can get to grips with these regs, but still don't have much confidence in the team and I don't think he or Leclerc do either.

I've heard about the loopholes too, and there's a meeting to clarify one of the rules around it, so if there's any big advantage those teams have found, the FIA may introduce something to counter it but we'll soon find out if it has any affect.

The thing with Russell is that he’s so consistent so if he has the car he’s got a real chance. But then you have to factor in the pressure which we haven’t really seen him have yet as he’s not been competing for the championship. He has had pressure in different ways but it’s not the same.

For what it’s worth he is currently second favourite behind Verstappen with the bookies but who really knows at this stage.

Will be interesting to see what leaks out from the first test as it is technically behind closed doors with no media but no doubt stuff will come out to give a bit of an idea how it’s shaping up.

 

[AndyP94]

The thing with Russell is that he’s so consistent so if he has the car he’s got a real chance. But then you have to factor in the pressure which we haven’t really seen him have yet as he’s not been competing for the championship. He has had pressure in different ways but it’s not the same.

For what it’s worth he is currently second favourite behind Verstappen with the bookies but who really knows at this stage.

Will be interesting to see what leaks out from the first test as it is technically behind closed doors with no media but no doubt stuff will come out to give a bit of an idea how it’s shaping up.

Yeah true about Russell. I'm surprised they've even got favourites before testing has even begun but of course that can change. I can't see how they think Red Bull or Verstappen are favourites when the team have downplayed expectations but of course we'll get an idea come testing.

 

[Fozzie]

Yeah true about Russell. I'm surprised they've even got favourites before testing has even begun but of course that can change. I can't see how they think Red Bull or Verstappen are favourites when the team have downplayed expectations but of course we'll get an idea come testing.

Agree , favourites for the title before a wheel has turned is pointless. Russell just needs a good car from the first race and he`ll be right in it. Hopefully Williams and Ferrari push on from last year too. Looking forward to see if Bottas & Perez still have the pace.

 

[Wizard]

Yeah true about Russell. I'm surprised they've even got favourites before testing has even begun but of course that can change. I can't see how they think Red Bull or Verstappen are favourites when the team have downplayed expectations but of course we'll get an idea come testing.

I think it’s just the nature of the betting market. Verstappen good, Mercedes good but been rubbish for the last few years so might be good again having focused on the new regs. People probably also think McLaren put so much into the last two years that they might have neglected the new regs a bit. They also have two competitive drivers which Red Bull and Mercedes don’t.

 

[Pootsy]

 

[Pootsy]

Today we have the launch of the Aston Martin Honda. The eagerly anticipated Adrian Newey Aston.

 

[davep]

Keep an eye out for a 17-year-old Brit called Freddie Slater who is racing in F3 this year. He seems to be viewed as a potential generational talent and if he does well could potentially be fast tracked to Audi in 2027 if rumours are to be believed.

He won World and European karting championships, broke Antonellis F4 record for most wins last year (finishing with the largest lead in the series history). 15 wins, 11 poles, 10 fastest laps.

He also beat Lindblad in karting.

Will ask my Mum what his maths is like.

 

[davep]

Hopefully we see some mid-tier teams shoot up to the front this year with the new regulations. Come on Williams! Sainz for P3 in the World Championship!

Yh I'm in on this, defo worth a punt with the bookies if there's good odds I reckon.

 

[davep]

View attachment 340449

Love this. Best livery so far imo.

 

[davep]

There's lots of intrigue for this upcoming season.

Seeing how the new regulations and active aero pan out been the main factors but Cadillac and Audi coming into the sport, both of whom I hope will be in the mix for points from the off, particularly Cadillac. I like Bottas and Perez and hope to see them do well there.

It'll be interesting to see if McLaren can continue last season's strong performance and how Norris copes with holding the WC crown. Not as much pressure surely and we can see he if he takes another step up in his ability or performance and how will Piastri bounce back?

Many more things to list but can't wait really.

I’ve put two £10 bets on. One is very emotional based in Hamilton winning the WDC at 26/1. Don’t think it will happen at all but why not. The other is £10 on Russell at 11/4. As you say, so many unknowns going into this season.

There are already reports about loopholes in the new regs, particularly one Red Bull and Mercedes have found so it should be an interesting build up to the start of the season.

Russell for me could be a bit of a dark horse for the title right now, but if Mercedes are on it from the off this time, I think he might become favourite if he can keep up form as I think he seems pretty confident all the time.

Hoping Hamilton can get to grips with these regs, but still don't have much confidence in the team and I don't think he or Leclerc do either.

I've heard about the loopholes too, and there's a meeting to clarify one of the rules around it, so if there's any big advantage those teams have found, the FIA may introduce something to counter it but we'll soon find out if it has any affect.

Norris would be my favourite for the title. Think Mcl will have the best car, they stopped working on last years super early, have been the best car for the last 1.5yrs, coming from last on the grid, and have mercs engine. Despite his comeback second half of the season and his strong form then, overall last season was a down year for him, despite winning the WDC in the end. Shackles will be off this year, confidence will be high, and I think he has learned a lot from his struggles. I can see Piastri challenging him, but I think Lando has more levels to up than Oscar this year.

Merc have really struggled with their car the last few years, and even their dominant period was based off the engine advantage as opposed to how good their car was. With Vowels reviving Williams, and how they effectrively sacked off last season, wouldn't surprise me to see them jump Merc as well as Mcl. Redbull have distanced themselves from the flow rate "loop hole", saying they understand/know it, but haven't currently implemented it, so sounds like Merc enginned cars will dominate the top of the grid. Who knows where Ferrari will be. Would be very surprising to see either of the new teams seriously challenging straight off the bat, but hopefully they can slot straight into midfiled. Aston Martin could be a "surprise" package. Has Newey had enough time/input to create something that will challenge the top teams?

 

[AndyP94]

Norris would be my favourite for the title. Think Mcl will have the best car, they stopped working on last years super early, have been the best car for the last 1.5yrs, coming from last on the grid, and have mercs engine. Despite his comeback second half of the season and his strong form then, overall last season was a down year for him, despite winning the WDC in the end. Shackles will be off this year, confidence will be high, and I think he has learned a lot from his struggles. I can see Piastri challenging him, but I think Lando has more levels to up than Oscar this year.

Merc have really struggled with their car the last few years, and even their dominant period was based off the engine advantage as opposed to how good their car was. With Vowels reviving Williams, and how they effectrively sacked off last season, wouldn't surprise me to see them jump Merc as well as Mcl. Redbull have distanced themselves from the flow rate "loop hole", saying they understand/know it, but haven't currently implemented it, so sounds like Merc enginned cars will dominate the top of the grid. Who knows where Ferrari will be. Would be very surprising to see either of the new teams seriously challenging straight off the bat, but hopefully they can slot straight into midfiled. Aston Martin could be a "surprise" package. Has Newey had enough time/input to create something that will challenge the top teams?

Agree, think Williams will be an interesting one and I think Norris will be a contender again as he possibly has slighlty less pressure on himself, so hopefully for him, it'll help him go up a level.

 

[Tipp blue]

A new era is upon us. The Ground effect era is gone. Now we are about to see a one of the biggest changes of regulation ever. No DRS, instead we have active aero. Narrower tyres, narrower wings. Smaller, lighter cars. ICE and Battery giving 50/50 power when it can. Hopefully this is going to be good.

Obviously there will be issues with teams accused of bending the rules but that happens week to week in F1.

Will they be allowed to pass each other or will it still be follow the leader and final positioning based on pit stop effeciency? I used to love F1 but in the past 15 or so years I feel like the most important thing to do is get the car home with no damage, resulting in less passing manuvers.

 

[Pootsy]

Will they be allowed to pass each other or will it still be follow the leader and final positioning based on pit stop effeciency? I used to love F1 but in the past 15 or so years I feel like the most important thing to do is get the car home with no damage, resulting in less passing manuvers.

They are trying to get more overtakes by implementing these new rules.

 

[Stephen Gibson]

Merc powered cars should be strong but there have been & will be differences between those teams. Obviously Alpine are new to the engine so there's no knowing how they will take to it.
Mercedes & Williams share power unit, gearbox & hydraulic system as do Alpine but both Williams & Alpine will do thier own cooling system.

Mclaren will continue to only use the power unit. They have used thier own gearbox, hydraulic system & cooling system for a while now. That cooling system is something lots of teams want thier hands on or at least understand. It's one of the main reasons why the Mclaren runs so well in the heat. Smaller rads, less louvres, other better things we mere mortal don't even know about or understand. Rumours of it somehow helping tyre life & initial warm up too & helping temp control of the rear brakes.
I suspect Redbull may have figured it out midway through last season as thier tyres were hanging on much better with thier updated package that sent Max on a great comeback run.
I don't even know with these new rules if any of Mclarens clever tricks from the last 2 seasons can even be implemented again.

 

[ClausThomsen]

Norris would be my favourite for the title. Think Mcl will have the best car, they stopped working on last years super early, have been the best car for the last 1.5yrs, coming from last on the grid, and have mercs engine. Despite his comeback second half of the season and his strong form then, overall last season was a down year for him, despite winning the WDC in the end. Shackles will be off this year, confidence will be high, and I think he has learned a lot from his struggles. I can see Piastri challenging him, but I think Lando has more levels to up than Oscar this year.

Merc have really struggled with their car the last few years, and even their dominant period was based off the engine advantage as opposed to how good their car was. With Vowels reviving Williams, and how they effectrively sacked off last season, wouldn't surprise me to see them jump Merc as well as Mcl. Redbull have distanced themselves from the flow rate "loop hole", saying they understand/know it, but haven't currently implemented it, so sounds like Merc enginned cars will dominate the top of the grid. Who knows where Ferrari will be. Would be very surprising to see either of the new teams seriously challenging straight off the bat, but hopefully they can slot straight into midfiled. Aston Martin could be a "surprise" package. Has Newey had enough time/input to create something that will challenge the top teams?

Don't think Aston will challenge with Stroll guaranteed a seat and as seemingly evergreen as Alonso is age has a habit of catching up with sportspeople very quickly and suddenly.

Definitely agree that Williams could leapfrog a bigger team or two but it's wildly unpredictable going into the new regs. Vowles has done an excellent job so far given how off it they were.

Ferrari are still surprisingly half decent given how keen they are on relentlessly self harming. If they could actually string together a sequence of sensible decisions they'd have a chance of consistently bothering the podium places but that's seemingly a big ask. Saying that though it's not so long ago that McLaren were often getting things wrong so who knows?