By Ben Langley
A new season of Formula 1 is nearly here, as pre-season testing is underway in Bahrain. With less than a month to go until the first race in Melbourne, let’s assess the main contenders most likely to fight for this year’s world championship before predicting the winner. Of course, the new set of regulations makes predicting the world champion a difficult task and may bring in more potential challengers than usual.
Contender 1 – Lando Norris
The first challenger of course must be the current world champion Norris. His ability to get his first title over the line in 2025 will give the Brit great experience in handling the pressures of a title fight if it comes his way again this season. His McLaren continues to be powered by Mercedes, the engine rumoured to be the standout heading into the new regulations. This will only give Norris and his team more confidence of being in the conversation of a championship tussle again. Despite holding the world crown, Norris is only third favourite amongst bookmakers to retain the championship. However, it wouldn’t be a foolish move to back the Brit for back-to-back titles.
Contender 2 – Oscar Piastri
Piastri will be hoping that he can once again challenge for the title in 2026, after leading most of last year’s championship. However, his drastic drop in form towards the end of last year means that many are sceptical the Aussie can sustain a challenge throughout the season. Piastri can no doubt be in the fight due to the speed he has shown, particularly in the last campaign. He was a match for eventual champion Norris in large parts, despite having four less years’ experience compared to the Brit. If McLaren can again build a car worthy of a championship challenge, Piastri can take the learnings of last year into this season and has the capability to take the crown.
Contender 3 – Max Verstappen
When talking about the championship fight, Verstappen must be involved regardless of what machinery he is in. His ending to 2025 was sublime and to miss out by just two points to Norris despite the inferiority of his Red Bull is why the Dutchman is the class of the field right now. The team’s new partnership with Ford is a great unknown with many believing the American manufacturer won’t have the performance to build a title-challenging engine from the off. However, testing has shown strong performance and reliability from the brand-new package which has seen Red Bull’s chances go up a notch. The loss of Adrian Newey will no doubt effect the aerodynamic perspective of their car, but there is no reason why the team can’t enter a new era like they finished the last. If this is the case, Verstappen will no doubt be amongst those at the top.
Contender 4 – George Russell
The official favourite to win this year’s drivers championship is Mercedes’ George Russell. A new set of regulations that sends the sport into an engine formula once again is reminiscent of the new rules that came into force in 2014. That season, Mercedes destroyed the opposition, winning 16 of the 19 Grand Prix as their engine performance was the catalyst to a magnificent season for the Silver Arrows. The same theory applies for 2026 with many believing Mercedes will once again be the benchmark of the engine performance. The rumours of Mercedes also finding a loop-hole to give their engine more performance only hypes their chances even more. Russell has shown the credentials capable of being a world champion. The Brit has beaten seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in equal machinery, whilst always challenging for race wins when his car was capable of doing so. If Mercedes come out the blocks with a significant advantage to the rest, many will fancy Russell over Kimi Antonelli to take his maiden crown. It will be interesting to see if he can handle the pressure a championship tussle will bring.
Who will win?
The smart money for this year is on George Russell. A new set of regulations that brings more emphasis onto the engine has given Mercedes the favourites tag. The hype around the Silver Arrows is huge considering testing has only just begun. Russell’s immense speed and consistency has shown he belongs towards the front of the pack, and is expected to be the leading Mercedes driver to challenge for the title. It will be exciting to see if his approach changes if he is fighting for the ultimate prize, a position he has never been in throughout his Formula 1 career. If Mercedes deliver a car expected to be the benchmark, the backing is on Russell to win his maiden championship.
The wait for the first race weekend isn’t too long now, and after that there will be a much clearer picture as to who will be the real contenders to fight for motorsport’s most coveted crown.
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