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2026 Formula 1 Thread
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Qualifying for Australia is just 4 days away. Does anyone have any predictions for this season?
Here are my personal predictions:
George Russel narrowly wins the driver's championship.
McLaren win the constructor's title.
Max Verstappen finishes second in the driver's championship whilst Red Bull finish third in the constructor's championship. Max throws his toys out of his pram when he realises he can't mathematically win another title.
Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso announce their respective end-of-season retirements from competitive F1 about halfway through the season. Lewis Hamilton will be "super sad" about this because he can't help using the word "super" before mentioning any adjective in the English dictionary.
Christian Horner will make occasional guest appearances during Sky F1's coverage and will remain being a complete cunt. |
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George Russel for WDC, but I am trying to avoid jumping on the Ferrari hype train 
Unfortunately F1 isn’t in a good place as far as I am concerned right now. it’s turned into little more than a show, and lost sport element. Don’t get me wrong it always had drama, but it came from the racing. |
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"George Russel for WDC, but I am trying to avoid jumping on the Ferrari hype train
Unfortunately F1 isn’t in a good place as far as I am concerned right now. it’s turned into little more than a show, and lost sport element. Don’t get me wrong it always had drama, but it came from the racing. "
I thought the racing over the last couple of years has been amongst the best for a long time. I think the energy harvesting is going to be the biggest downer from a racing perspective this year. |
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"George Russel for WDC, but I am trying to avoid jumping on the Ferrari hype train
Unfortunately F1 isn’t in a good place as far as I am concerned right now. it’s turned into little more than a show, and lost sport element. Don’t get me wrong it always had drama, but it came from the racing.
I thought the racing over the last couple of years has been amongst the best for a long time. I think the energy harvesting is going to be the biggest downer from a racing perspective this year."
Could be, but no one knows yet. As long as the racing is close, and overtaking is possible. |
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By *vmarisaTV/TS 14 weeks ago
Motherwell |
It's going to be a fascinating and challenging season for all of the top teams and can a medium row team rise up to be a top team, no doubt time, driver skills and adaptation of technology will tell. Mx |
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"I genuinely don’t know who will win the drivers or constructors.
All I do know is that it won’t be Aston Martin."
Whilst it's almost certain Aston Martin will not be in contention for the constructor's title this year I wouldn't rule out a mid to late season charge that sees them end up 5th in the standings or better.
It really depends upon why their performance in pre-season testing was so dismal. Adrian Newey has never designed a complete turkey of an F1 car; not even when he was at all-but-broke March in his early career. His subsequent employers were Williams, McLaren and Red Bull where his designs were either winning driver's and/or constructor's championships or otherwise being strongly in contention for them. Aston Martin pulled off quite a coup in hiring him.
If Newey and the team have made a fundamental design mistake like Mercedes did in 2023 - which also impacted their 2024 car - then they're likely to get stuck in the bottom-half of the standings all year. My gut tells me Newey has probably got it fundamentally right and some upgrades and driver familiarity will quickly improve their standing over the course of the season.
I genuinely believe Aston Martin are going to be a team worth keeping an eye on. |
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I would like to believe that Lewis could win an 8th title but I doubt we'll see it. There is plenty other drivers on the grid that are just as deserving of a title.
I think this year will Russels year. Only marginally though. I think it'll be a tough year for them all but those who can master the car and rules first will be champ.
I'm not a fan of this electric nonsense. Just bring back a V8 turbo and leave it be. None of this energy had eating bull. That's what formula e is for. |
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Finalllly a proper topic hahaha!!
Ok so here is my predictions, this is based on Mercedes 1.8 engine displacement actully benefiting them.
Interesting to see if Ferraris "blown diffuser" and rotating wing actully give an advantage, La Gazzetta thinks so but that an italian paper so clearly biast ha!
Constructors
Mercedes
Ferrari
McLaren
Red Bull
Williams
Alpine
Aston Martin
Racing Bulls
Haas
Sauber
Cadillac
Drivers - Top 10 only
George Russell
Max Verstappen
Oscar Piastri
Lewis Hamilton
Lando Norris
Kimi Antonelli
Charles Leclerc
Oscar Piastri
Carlos Sainz
Fernando Alonso
|
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I’ve been a lifelong McLaren supporter
Through good and bad times
After last season’s display of pure favouritism I’m done
Zac brown can do one slimy bastad
Not a fan of redbull but I think they may of been sand bagging
Ferrari look promising
Mercedes I think will take an early lead
Pitty about Aston was expecting better things from newey but he will be getting his head down and mid season I think their developing may come good
This is just predictions based on pre season testing and chances are a lot of the teams were sand bagging and more collecting data especially for Ferrari with that twisting rear wing
The 1st qualifying will tell the real story
Unfortunately i doubt Lewis will be in contention for anymore championships and considering this season his contract with Ferrari ends I think he will retire
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I enjoy watching every qualifying and every race but I don’t think I follow it closely enough to get the insight that others seem to have. I have no idea who will win but I really hope it’s anyone other than George Russell, I can’t stand his constant whining throughout every race. I know that some of the other drivers do the same but he’s the worst of the lot.
I was pleased Lando won last year, not because I’m against max but it was good to see a change. I do think though that for all his faults, max is the best driver on the grid so if all cars were equal he would likely come out on top. |
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"I genuinely don’t know who will win the drivers or constructors.
All I do know is that it won’t be Aston Martin.
Whilst it's almost certain Aston Martin will not be in contention for the constructor's title this year I wouldn't rule out a mid to late season charge that sees them end up 5th in the standings or better.
It really depends upon why their performance in pre-season testing was so dismal. Adrian Newey has never designed a complete turkey of an F1 car; not even when he was at all-but-broke March in his early career. His subsequent employers were Williams, McLaren and Red Bull where his designs were either winning driver's and/or constructor's championships or otherwise being strongly in contention for them. Aston Martin pulled off quite a coup in hiring him.
If Newey and the team have made a fundamental design mistake like Mercedes did in 2023 - which also impacted their 2024 car - then they're likely to get stuck in the bottom-half of the standings all year. My gut tells me Newey has probably got it fundamentally right and some upgrades and driver familiarity will quickly improve their standing over the course of the season.
I genuinely believe Aston Martin are going to be a team worth keeping an eye on. "
My understanding was that the engine basically didn’t work. It’s actually a Honda problem. Still means Aston Martin won’t win  |
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"I genuinely don’t know who will win the drivers or constructors.
All I do know is that it won’t be Aston Martin.
Whilst it's almost certain Aston Martin will not be in contention for the constructor's title this year I wouldn't rule out a mid to late season charge that sees them end up 5th in the standings or better.
It really depends upon why their performance in pre-season testing was so dismal. Adrian Newey has never designed a complete turkey of an F1 car; not even when he was at all-but-broke March in his early career. His subsequent employers were Williams, McLaren and Red Bull where his designs were either winning driver's and/or constructor's championships or otherwise being strongly in contention for them. Aston Martin pulled off quite a coup in hiring him.
If Newey and the team have made a fundamental design mistake like Mercedes did in 2023 - which also impacted their 2024 car - then they're likely to get stuck in the bottom-half of the standings all year. My gut tells me Newey has probably got it fundamentally right and some upgrades and driver familiarity will quickly improve their standing over the course of the season.
I genuinely believe Aston Martin are going to be a team worth keeping an eye on.
My understanding was that the engine basically didn’t work. It’s actually a Honda problem. Still means Aston Martin won’t win "
Newey has just said that they can’t do more than 15 laps before Lance gets nerve damage from the engine vibrations and Fernando reckons 25 is tops. DNF before they have even started. |
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"I genuinely don’t know who will win the drivers or constructors.
All I do know is that it won’t be Aston Martin.
Whilst it's almost certain Aston Martin will not be in contention for the constructor's title this year I wouldn't rule out a mid to late season charge that sees them end up 5th in the standings or better.
It really depends upon why their performance in pre-season testing was so dismal. Adrian Newey has never designed a complete turkey of an F1 car; not even when he was at all-but-broke March in his early career. His subsequent employers were Williams, McLaren and Red Bull where his designs were either winning driver's and/or constructor's championships or otherwise being strongly in contention for them. Aston Martin pulled off quite a coup in hiring him.
If Newey and the team have made a fundamental design mistake like Mercedes did in 2023 - which also impacted their 2024 car - then they're likely to get stuck in the bottom-half of the standings all year. My gut tells me Newey has probably got it fundamentally right and some upgrades and driver familiarity will quickly improve their standing over the course of the season.
I genuinely believe Aston Martin are going to be a team worth keeping an eye on.
My understanding was that the engine basically didn’t work. It’s actually a Honda problem. Still means Aston Martin won’t win "
It’s just not that simple. I have built cars as a hobby all my adult life and over the years problems have rarely been diagnosed as simple one component being faulty. More often it’s a combination of factors, for example one of my builds had massive over fuelling problems, the cause was the diameter of the fuel return system. The fuel return system was added by me to the vehicle, but it took a year to find that problem and two engine rebuilds.
I hate to think of the complexity of what they are dealing with. I heard the cause of failure was vibration with is resonating once bolted to the chassis. These vibrations are killing the battery. |
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"Purely for sentimental reasons I hope Ferrari have a competitive car and Lewis can get his 8th world title and his place in history. He looks a lot happier so who knows.
Me too"
It would be nice for a Brit to bring the 8th title back to England as that achievement with remain for at least 5 years before someone betters it with 9 championships
Alas Hamiltons contract is up at the end of the season with Ferrari where as leclerc is still contacted
Hamilton will be the Ferrari 2nd driver and won’t be given the same upgrade priority’s as leclerc
I highly doubt Hamilton will win a championship with Ferrari! |
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Russell fastest in practice by over half a second. Antonelli was looking good until he crashed out. Lewis was second fastest albeit just ahead of Leclerc.
For now the pre-season predictions of Mercedes and Ferrari being the top-two teams appear to be bearing out but you can never rule Max nor either of the McLaren drivers out of spoiling someone's day.
Qualifying should be epic if I can stay up long enough to watch it live! |
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Well that was/wasn’t a shock
That Ferrari is on fire
Pitty the idiots managing can’t make decent decisions that cost them the win
I’ve said it for years
The middle management in Ferrari are the worst by far
Well done Mercedes
Fanatic race from max |
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Great start to the race with plenty of overtakes.
I thought Ferrari might do it and get a 1 2. Then there shite strategy decision making came out and they threw it away with nit pitting on the VSC.
Max had a good race considering where he started from.
Overall I think this is going to be a fun year for the fans with lots of drama on the track. |
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"Great start to the race with plenty of overtakes.
I thought Ferrari might do it and get a 1 2. Then there shite strategy decision making came out and they threw it away with nit pitting on the VSC.
Max had a good race considering where he started from.
Overall I think this is going to be a fun year for the fans with lots of drama on the track."
I agree. I was slightly fearing the worst but it was actually pretty entertaining.
Once McClaren get fully upto speed with their engine then I think they will be a force. Ferrari’s small turbo seemed to work but they threw it on strategy.
I was most impressed with Lindblad. Zero fear. That bodes well. |
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Fairly good first race. Next week's race in China is a sprint event, so the limited free practice will make for an interesting time - suspect the sprint will be more entertaining than the race.
Ferrari need a new dynamic strategist, as it feels like the etch their strategy on stone tablets before the race and are unable to change it. |
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Iv been a life long McLaren fan. Finally able to enjoy this year due to having sky.
Good first race, bad strategy on Ferrari part. but they don’t make the noise like they used to. Will be interesting to see how this year plays out will all the changes x |
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Absolutely no predictions...
But im crossing my fingers for not to many big smashes!!
I work in the f1 sector and my role is making and ultimately fixing body components for several teams.
I'd love some weekends of for activities thank you please. |
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"Absolutely no predictions...
But im crossing my fingers for not to many big smashes!!
I work in the f1 sector and my role is making and ultimately fixing body components for several teams.
I'd love some weekends of for activities thank you please. "
So from now on anytime I see a big crash....I'll imagine you winching at it! |
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"The new regs are utterly abysmal. So much to fix."
I'm in two minds about them.
Some drivers and teams like them whilst others absolutely hate them. Of course, whether you're finishing on the podium or somewhere in mid-field might have an influence on your opinion . It will ultimately be up to the fans to decide whether they like them or not. There will be a review of the rules after Suzuka.
The start was one of the oddest I've seen with so many wildly different launch speeds. I think something needs to be introduced similar to the former restrictions on DRS during starts and restarts to prevent a serious accident. |
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"I'm a major max fan but seriously hope Ferrari can pull it out of the bag. Massive launch just poor 1-2 strategy again "
Ferrari's tyre strategy cock-ups have been a constant thorn in their side for almost 5 years now.
The launch was interesting, though. Why were the Ferraris so much quicker off the line than the Mercedes? It was something that happened all over the field; was it down to some drivers being able to harvest more power during the formation lap? I have no idea. |
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"I'm a major max fan but seriously hope Ferrari can pull it out of the bag. Massive launch just poor 1-2 strategy again
Ferrari's tyre strategy cock-ups have been a constant thorn in their side for almost 5 years now.
The launch was interesting, though. Why were the Ferraris so much quicker off the line than the Mercedes? It was something that happened all over the field; was it down to some drivers being able to harvest more power during the formation lap? I have no idea."
Ferrari saw the issue with the start procedure and tried to get it changed. They got overruled by the other teams.
So they went a designed a turbo that is smaller compared to the other manufacturers. This allows them to launch quicker. It was hinted at in the test sessions.
Today proved it. They have the starts acced.
The strategy as usual let them down. |
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"The new regs are utterly abysmal. So much to fix.
I'm in two minds about them.
Some drivers and teams like them whilst others absolutely hate them. Of course, whether you're finishing on the podium or somewhere in mid-field might have an influence on your opinion . It will ultimately be up to the fans to decide whether they like them or not. There will be a review of the rules after Suzuka.
The start was one of the oddest I've seen with so many wildly different launch speeds. I think something needs to be introduced similar to the former restrictions on DRS during starts and restarts to prevent a serious accident."
Someone at the back of the start grid. (Apologies not sure who.) Did a seriously good job of not hitting another driver and also the pit lane wall. (Incredible cat like reflexes.) Only seen one brief slow mo of it, but an inch or two either side. Could have been a different story. |
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"The new regs are utterly abysmal. So much to fix.
I'm in two minds about them.
Some drivers and teams like them whilst others absolutely hate them. Of course, whether you're finishing on the podium or somewhere in mid-field might have an influence on your opinion . It will ultimately be up to the fans to decide whether they like them or not. There will be a review of the rules after Suzuka.
The start was one of the oddest I've seen with so many wildly different launch speeds. I think something needs to be introduced similar to the former restrictions on DRS during starts and restarts to prevent a serious accident.
Someone at the back of the start grid. (Apologies not sure who.) Did a seriously good job of not hitting another driver and also the pit lane wall. (Incredible cat like reflexes.) Only seen one brief slow mo of it, but an inch or two either side. Could have been a different story."
It was Colapinto. Crazy fast reactions. It was Lawson who was basically stationary.
There is going to be a huge smash at one of these starts. |
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By *lynJMan 13 weeks ago
Morden |
"The new regs are utterly abysmal. So much to fix.
I'm in two minds about them.
Some drivers and teams like them whilst others absolutely hate them. Of course, whether you're finishing on the podium or somewhere in mid-field might have an influence on your opinion . It will ultimately be up to the fans to decide whether they like them or not. There will be a review of the rules after Suzuka.
The start was one of the oddest I've seen with so many wildly different launch speeds. I think something needs to be introduced similar to the former restrictions on DRS during starts and restarts to prevent a serious accident.
Someone at the back of the start grid. (Apologies not sure who.) Did a seriously good job of not hitting another driver and also the pit lane wall. (Incredible cat like reflexes.) Only seen one brief slow mo of it, but an inch or two either side. Could have been a different story.
It was Colapinto. Crazy fast reactions. It was Lawson who was basically stationary.
There is going to be a huge smash at one of these starts."
Perhaps they should introduce a rule at the start that either stops them spinning up the turbo and all launch off the ICE only, or some electrical way to spin it up just at the start (though that might be open to abuse) |
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So two races and a sprint completed and I’ll probably get shot down for saying it, but I’m not overly impressed. I know it’s early days, and maybe the loss of two races in April might be a good thing, but it’s turning into a championship about reliability rather than driver ability. To have 4 cars not even make the grid is appalling, then 3 more break down within the race is also very poor.
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the new cars would bring more competition within the grid, but it’s gone completely the opposite way, Mercedes are never going to be touched by anyone, once the first couple of laps are out the way.
I’m pleased to see Lewis up there but I think third place will be the best he can expect.
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Well done Kimi had a fantastic weekend and starting to remove all of maxes accolades lol
Well done Hamilton was surprised Ferrari allowed him the podium as I was expecting Ferrari to switch leclerc into 3rd
I’m not really sure how I feel about the battery over taking atm
It all just seems a bit pointless to add drama! You know 1 over take is gonna lose on next corner due to the drivers using all the battery to overtake and leave nothing to defend |
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"So two races and a sprint completed and I’ll probably get shot down for saying it, but I’m not overly impressed. I know it’s early days, and maybe the loss of two races in April might be a good thing, but it’s turning into a championship about reliability rather than driver ability. To have 4 cars not even make the grid is appalling, then 3 more break down within the race is also very poor.
Maybe I’m wrong but I thought the new cars would bring more competition within the grid, but it’s gone completely the opposite way, Mercedes are never going to be touched by anyone, once the first couple of laps are out the way.
I’m pleased to see Lewis up there but I think third place will be the best he can expect.
"
Im not enjoying it. I'm a longtime poster on an F1 Tevhical site, and it's just become a muddy mess, you can't really understand the cars behaviours properly as it is so complex.
Maybe in a few races it will settle down. |
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"
Perhaps they should introduce a rule at the start that either stops them spinning up the turbo and all launch off the ICE only, or some electrical way to spin it up just at the start (though that might be open to abuse)"
The turbo is an integral part of the ICE.
Apparently, the issue is partly with how the electrical half of the engine works. During the formation lap cars further from the front row can harvest more electrical energy before stopping at their grid spot giving them a power boost at lights out. Some drivers (such as Lawson) have also had issues with their anti-stall kicking in off the line which has compounded the problem.
One thing that is clear to me is that something needs to be done. Ferrari have predictably vetoed a proposed solution due to their current advantage off the line. I'm just hoping we don't see a repeat of Monza '78 or Canada '82 this season.
Just to be clear I don't want the cars regulated to the point they were between 1995-2000-ish when F1 was more of a procession than a race. I just worry there is going to be a hideous start crash unless something is done to prevent the possibility of some cars having a massive power advantage at launch. |
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"
Perhaps they should introduce a rule at the start that either stops them spinning up the turbo and all launch off the ICE only, or some electrical way to spin it up just at the start (though that might be open to abuse)
The turbo is an integral part of the ICE.
Apparently, the issue is partly with how the electrical half of the engine works. During the formation lap cars further from the front row can harvest more electrical energy before stopping at their grid spot giving them a power boost at lights out. Some drivers (such as Lawson) have also had issues with their anti-stall kicking in off the line which has compounded the problem.
One thing that is clear to me is that something needs to be done. Ferrari have predictably vetoed a proposed solution due to their current advantage off the line. I'm just hoping we don't see a repeat of Monza '78 or Canada '82 this season.
Just to be clear I don't want the cars regulated to the point they were between 1995-2000-ish when F1 was more of a procession than a race. I just worry there is going to be a hideous start crash unless something is done to prevent the possibility of some cars having a massive power advantage at launch. "
Ferrari pointed out the engine starting issue 18months ago and they were ignored. That’s why they went a different route to everyone else and put in the small turbo. They designed for the rules, which is what I thought F1 was all about, and everyone else dropped a nut. Ferrari should benefit from their faster starts and everyone else needs to sort out what they are going to give up to get around the issue. I like it. |
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So, 6 races and 3 sprints in to the season and although it may have improved slightly, it’s rapidly turning into the worst season for some time in my opinion.
The reliability of the cars is a joke, they’ve got to go back to basics, and get rid of these ridiculous hybrid engines. Then there’s all these penalties that are occurring throughout the race, it’s completely ruined it.
The only good thing to come out of today was Russell finishing almost last. He never shuts up moaning and whinging about the other drivers. Can you imagine what he was like at school, can’t think he had many friends. |
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"I dont think it is F1 racing as we are used to but I dont think it is completely awful. I like the old school unreliability. It adds some jeopardy."
That said, I would prefer the track to stay in one piece |
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"So, 6 races and 3 sprints in to the season and although it may have improved slightly, it’s rapidly turning into the worst season for some time in my opinion.
The reliability of the cars is a joke, they’ve got to go back to basics, and get rid of these ridiculous hybrid engines. Then there’s all these penalties that are occurring throughout the race, it’s completely ruined it.
The only good thing to come out of today was Russell finishing almost last. He never shuts up moaning and whinging about the other drivers. Can you imagine what he was like at school, can’t think he had many friends. "
Probably an Arsenal supporter. |
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