2026 Formula 1 Drivers threadFormula 1 

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I'd love to see Piastri getting the title that he deserved in 2025

My favorites are
  1. Piastri
  2. Verstappen
  3. Leclerc
  4. Russell
Meaning that I would be happy should any of the four win the championship

Of course there are others like Alonso, Checo and Sainz where I would be ecstatic if they won but I don't see them as serious potential candidates, don't think many people do anyways
 
Veinz
To be fair he took a giant step forward in 2025 compared to the previous year, despite falling off late in the season. If he can iron out the kinks he will easily be one of the elite drivers.
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Oscar is still growing imo which is a scary thing to think about given how great he already is.
That said I think a Lando without pressure and without the constant self doubt that has been dragging him down somewhat will probably also be no joke.

But if I had to put money on the 26 champion it would be George.
 
I'm not familiar with AutoRacer and their legitimacy as a publication, but if this is indeed true, then Charles is very much laying down the gauntlet for Ferrari.

autoracer.it

Ferrari, dalla TD039 all’incubo 2025: l’effetto suolo è una delusione

La partenza lampo di Ferrari nel 2022 aveva fatto ben sperare, ma l'era a effetto suolo si è rivelata una delusione: alcuni retroscena.
autoracer.it

via a rough online translation:
In a year of great change, Ferrari arrives in 2026 with a single certainty: after yet another superlative vintage, there is little doubt about the performance of Charles Leclerc in the coming year, but it is not enough. The same Monegasque admitted that the first races will be fundamental to decide his future and a lack of competitiveness will undoubtedly sanction the end of the ten-year relationship between him and Maranello. In the next calendar year, the future of Lewis Hamilton and Frédéric Vasseur will also be decided, both positively and negatively. The seven-time world champion will have the opportunity to demonstrate his worth on a generation of cars more suited to his driving style and, in the case of the Ferrari SF-26, which will also have his footprint. As revealed by Autoracer in November, the new Rossa will adopt a push rod geometry at the front and rear by choice of technical director Loic Serra. If the disappointment of the last four years started from a mechanical deficiency, to be competitive in 2026 it will be essential to change the course from there to have a competitive car starting from the debut, in less than a month, at Montmelò.
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Frankly, I think Charles should've left Ferrari years ago. I honestly hope he makes good on this (alleged) promise if the SF-26 ends up being uncompetitive, because if losing the driver Ferrari have spent years building their team around isn't a major wake-up call, then nothing else would be. The trouble for Charles would be finding a new home at that point. The only "upgrades" would be a move to McLaren, Mercedes or Red Bull, and I don't see any of those teams sacrificing a driver for Charles. Unless either Cadillac or Audi knock it out of the park right away, I think that such a situation would lead to either Charles becoming a mid-field driver at best, or having to take a year away from the sport.

On the flipside, as a Hamilton fan, I'm hoping that the new formula shows a return to form for him. The fact that he got 6th in 2025 WDC in his first year at Ferrari, despite the operational blunders, lack of performance compared to Charles, and a DQ early in the season, tells me that there's still very much something present in him. As much as I would love for Hamilton to win an 8th WDC, I would be happy if he won a race with Ferrari, just so that his tenure at the team isn't looked back on as a total waste. Even still, unless there are major operational changes up-and-down the team, and/or Lewis ends up being a WDC contender this year, I have a hard time seeing him staying with Ferrari (specifically the F1 team) after at least 2027.
 
There could be some good seats available in 2027 (Red Bull, Aston in particular) but it all depends on what Max does. Another year coming of constant speculation whether he'll stay at Red Bull, jump to one of the Merc-powered machines, or quit entirely. The merrygoround starts if he does move and Charles would probably be plan B for a lot of the teams who miss out on Max.
 
Let's make a 2027 prediction:

Verstappen to Mercedes
Russell to Aston Martin
Leclerc to Red Bull
Piastri (and Bearman) to Ferrari
 
Fezzik
Let's make a 2027 prediction:

Verstappen to Mercedes
Russell to Aston Martin
Leclerc to Red Bull
Piastri (and Bearman) to Ferrari
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Verstappen skips Mercedes because Toto, almost goes to Aston Martin because Newey - but he goes to Ferrari for next step to WEC
Hamilton goes to Aston Martin with Lawrence for a Last Dance documentary season with fashion week megafest in the mix.
Piastri threatens to go to Alpine for comedy, then switches to RedBull.
LeClerc to Williams to race with Sainz againz.
Albon to Alpine for the AA.
 
Fezzik
Let's make a 2027 prediction:

Verstappen to Mercedes
Russell to Aston Martin
Leclerc to Red Bull
Piastri (and Bearman) to Ferrari
Click to expand...

Verstappen - McLaren, Aston if team performs.
Leclerc - Mercedes
Piastri - Ferrari
Lando - Red Bull if Max to McLaren.
Kimi - McLaren if Lando to Red Bull.
Hamilton - Retires regardless of 2026 outcome.

Scenario 1, my favoured:
McLaren: Verstappen, Kimi
Ferrari: Piastri, Bearman
Mercedes: Russell, Leclerc
Red Bull: Norris, Hadjar

Scenario 2:
McLaren: Norris, Albon
Ferrari: Piastri, Bearman
Mercedes: Russel, Leclerc
Aston: Verstappen, Alonso/Kimi
Red Bull: Hadjar, Lawson

Scenario 3:
McLaren: Norris, Albon
Ferrari: Piastri, Bearman
Mercedes: Verstappen, Kimi
Red Bull: Russel, Hadjar

Verstappen as an F1 driver could end up anywhere, but if we hyper analyse his desire to race in GT3, currently any Mercedes link up works (with Verstappen.com racing moving to Mercedes), be it Mercedes or McLaren, however McLaren also provides a possible pathway into a Hypercar for a Le Mans tilt in the future and they have their own dedicated works GT3 outfit should Verstappen.com make a further switch in 2027 or '28. Norris then moves to Red Bull as a sweetener for the deal to get done, money alone won't be enough to budge Verstappen unless there is a significant performance drop off from Red Bull. Norris could stick it out at McLaren alongside Verstappen but it's far more likely he would move.

If Leclerc moves to Mercedes, Kimi goes to McLaren with Verstappen to pave the way for Piastri to make that move to Ferrari, the rumours for which I think are going to spiral fast. Bearman is tailor made for the seat alongside him there. If Verstappen swerves Mercedes then Russel stays to compete with Leclerc.
 
MagpieRacer
Scenario 2:
McLaren: Norris, Albon
Ferrari: Piastri, Bearman
Mercedes: Russel, Leclerc
Aston: Verstappen, Alonso/Kimi
Red Bull: Hadjar, Lawson
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Realistic proposals only please

Formula 1 No GIF by Aston Martin F1 Team
 
I'll bite the bullet

  1. Alpine
    1. Gasly
    2. Paul Aron (Unless Colapinto performs well enough to outweigh the fact that this team absolutely hates him)
  2. Aston Martin
    1. Stroll :banghead:
    2. Could be Verstappen or Leclerc
  3. Audi
    1. Bortoleto
    2. Could be Hulkenberg or Leclerc
  4. Cadillac
    1. Bottas
    2. Checo
  5. Ferrari
    1. Hamilton or Piastri
    2. Bearman
  6. Haas
    1. Some F2 Graduate (This year's F2 grid doesn't seem to have any groundbreaking talent though)
    2. Ocon
  7. McLaren
    1. Norris
    2. Piastri or Hamilton
  8. Mercedes
    1. Russell
    2. Antonelli
  9. Racing Bulls
    1. Lawson
    2. Linblad or Some kid they're gonna kidnap from the paddock at Silverstone
  10. Red Bull
    1. Verstappen or Linblad
    2. Hadjar
  11. Williams
    1. Albon
    2. Sainz
 
Gonna be honest with y'all: I don't see Verstappen staying in F1 period should he leave Red Bull. Multiple championships and someone who is NOT keen on the gimmicks F1 keeps insisting on, not alot of reason to stay around (Especially with FIA President butthead hovering around and being himself).
 
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Fezzik
Alpine and Jack Doohan have formally cut ties. Hopefully he can do well in Super Formula (and not crash as much as on the test day).
Paul Aron the next in line to have his career messed up by that trainweck of a team.
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That seems unfair. He never really got a proper chance.
 
RACECAR
Gonna be honest with y'all: I don't see Verstappen staying in F1 period should he leave Red Bull. Multiple championships and someone who is NOT keen on the gimmicks F1 keeps insisting on, not alot of reason to stay around (Especially with FIA President butthead hovering around and being himself).
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If Max leaves RBR, then I would expect RBR will probably leave F1 shortly after. The team is built so thoroughly around him that it would take them years to restructure, and I can't see them wanting to fall off the sharp end that long.

Although, I do have to admit that the idea of them selling the team back to Ford if that does come to pass would be infinitely amusing. Time is a flat circle, and all that.

hakhan
That seems unfair. He never really got a proper chance.
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It became pretty clear from the start that Doohan was only brought on to donate sponsorship money, unfortunately. Super Formula is highly competitive and will likely be a much better gauge of his skills than piddling around in the lower midfield anyway, so hardly the end of the world.
 
EngieDiesel
If Max leaves RBR, then I would expect RBR will probably leave F1 shortly after. The team is built so thoroughly around him that it would take them years to restructure, and I can't see them wanting to fall off the sharp end that long.

Although, I do have to admit that the idea of them selling the team back to Ford if that does come to pass would be infinitely amusing. Time is a flat circle, and all that.
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Far too much money at stake for Red Bull. They're a top team & if Max leaves, that only opens the door for another top driver to come in.

Vettel left & the worst that happened was dropping to 4th before a string of 2nds & 3rds in the Constructor's with Max. They'll still be more than capable of that with the right driver.
 
NotThePrez
I'm not familiar with AutoRacer and their legitimacy as a publication, but if this is indeed true, then Charles is very much laying down the gauntlet for Ferrari.

autoracer.it

Ferrari, dalla TD039 all’incubo 2025: l’effetto suolo è una delusione

La partenza lampo di Ferrari nel 2022 aveva fatto ben sperare, ma l'era a effetto suolo si è rivelata una delusione: alcuni retroscena.
autoracer.it

via a rough online translation:

Frankly, I think Charles should've left Ferrari years ago. I honestly hope he makes good on this (alleged) promise if the SF-26 ends up being uncompetitive, because if losing the driver Ferrari have spent years building their team around isn't a major wake-up call, then nothing else would be. The trouble for Charles would be finding a new home at that point. The only "upgrades" would be a move to McLaren, Mercedes or Red Bull, and I don't see any of those teams sacrificing a driver for Charles. Unless either Cadillac or Audi knock it out of the park right away, I think that such a situation would lead to either Charles becoming a mid-field driver at best, or having to take a year away from the sport.

On the flipside, as a Hamilton fan, I'm hoping that the new formula shows a return to form for him. The fact that he got 6th in 2025 WDC in his first year at Ferrari, despite the operational blunders, lack of performance compared to Charles, and a DQ early in the season, tells me that there's still very much something present in him. As much as I would love for Hamilton to win an 8th WDC, I would be happy if he won a race with Ferrari, just so that his tenure at the team isn't looked back on as a total waste. Even still, unless there are major operational changes up-and-down the team, and/or Lewis ends up being a WDC contender this year, I have a hard time seeing him staying with Ferrari (specifically the F1 team) after at least 2027.
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Well... someone's gonna have to leave to make room for Ollie soon.

Watch both he and Sir Lewis Hamilton both leave after this year :lol:
 

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