F1 2026 Predictions
The 2026 season has officially begun and I am so ready!
It’s been a while since I’ve written about F1, the last time being introducing some of F1’s drivers, but I’m ready to dive back in.
With one race down, it’s a good time as any to start predicting how the season is going to go. 22 drivers and 11 teams, with Cadillac and Audi being new teams this season. Will they get a podium this year? Who will be the 2026 WDC?
Read along to find out what I think.
Next WDC - Will Lando be the reigning champ? Or will Verstappen reclaim his throne?
I think there is a good chance Lando will win again because he is on a good team and is a good driver, but something tells me that this year we will get a new winner this year. While I wish it would be my love, Carlos Sainz, I doubt it will happen.
I think the next WDC, World Driver Champion, will be George Russell. George has consistently been at the head of the pack since last year and the previous year as well. He just won Australia with Antonelli right behind him in P2. I am not alone in thinking George Russell will win this year. In an interview, Sainz said the same thing about the British driver. Will this year be his year? We shall see.
Besides Russell, I think the obvious drivers have a chance, those being Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Max Verstappen. Oscar was very close last year to winning, so there is no denying he will this year, too. Max is, of course, listed because it’s Max, I mean, the guy went from the back of the pack to P6 in the last race, that’s impressive but not surprising. There’s also Charles Leclerc, who did pretty well last season, but with no wins, I feel like the Monegasque driver will not claim the title this season. He has a lot of potential, but doesn’t take enough risks to bring it home. But this is F1 after all, and anything can happen.
First time wins - Will Isack finally get a win, or will he simply enjoy more podiums?
The 2025 rookie showed much promise, gaining lots of points, including a podium (P3), which is not just impressive for a rookie, but also for one who is on a smaller team, Racing Bulls, now known as Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Isack Hadjar showed that this team is not to be underestimated and that you should never single out a rookie because they can make your P3 position to P4. That being said, I think Isack has a good chance of winning and breaking Red Bull’s second seat curse. He showed so much promise last race, finishing in P3 in qualifying, but ultimately didn’t see the podium this time around and finished P20. There is still lots of time for him to change this around and potentially win a race or two this season.
Another driver who I think will get their first win is Kimi Antonelli. He has shown numerous times that he is a fast driver, finishing in P2 in the last race and 7th overall last season with 3 podiums. In time, Kimi will be a strong and competitive driver, competing for the world championship, just not right now, but who knows.
Lastly, Alex Albon is another contender who has a possibility of winning, since doing so well last season, especially with Carlos Sainz by his side, who has given him valuable strategy tips in the past.
Podiums - Will Rookie, Arvind Lindbald be on the podium this year
Besides the usual suspects, there are a few drivers I think will get podiums this year that haven’t yet or rarely do. One being, the rookie of the season, Arvind Lindbald, who finished in 8th place, gaining his first points in F1. I think there is a strong chance that Arvind will be like Isack and get himself on the podium in P3 or P2. I don’t think he will win a race because no one on that team really has, and he is a rookie, but there is always a chance.
I also think there is a chance that Gabrielle Bortoleto will get on the podium, as Hulkenberg did last year for the first time, something I counted on. The F3 star has shown to be a strong driver with lots of potential, just like Isack and with a new car, there is no denying the pressure and expectation of the Brazilian to perform.
Another driver I hope but doubt will make it to the podium is Fernando Alonso. He got so close so many times, but he is honestly one of the unluckiest drivers on the grid. But who knows? Maybe he will get on the podium like he used to.
I hope to see Franco Colapinto on the podium or at least in the points this season. He was the fastest on track in the last race at 344 mph, which is awesome for him. The supposed new Senna showed potential in his first season, with teams like Red Bull eyeing him in the 2025 season. While he hasn’t performed that well in Alpine in 2025, it’s a new year, and Alpine in the past have gotten podiums. Maybe Colapinto will make the podium during a wet race where the driver is truly tested, and the playing field is on the same level. Personally, I am rooting for him and really hope he performs better this season. So far, he is doing better than last season, but of course, it is way too early in the game to judge.
Lastly, despite not performing super well since his Mercedes days, I think there is a chance Valterri Bottas will get on the podium. Audi is a good car, but who knows if they will be competitive so early on in F1? But I’m hoping they will bring Bottas back to his winning days.
First Team Wins - Will Carlos Sainz win for the first time with Williams
Carlos Sainz did a lot of good with the old reigning team, hoping to get them back to their winning days. He got P3 last season, a shock to all, so there is no denying that fans expect a win or P2 this season for the Spaniard. My prediction is that he will win a race, hopefully his home race in Madrid, a new F1 track.
With the return of Checo Perez, I think there is a chance he will win a race for the team or at least make a podium, but being a new team, I also have doubts that he will win a race this season, despite being a good driver.
Driver Switches
Last season, there were two driver switches and replacements. Jack Doohan was in Alpine for two races before he was replaced by Franco Colapinto, which I expected because it was such a shame that Colapinto didn’t get a seat after such an impressive first season. And then Yuki Tsunoda replaced Liam Lawson in Redbull. Will this year pan out similarly? I don’t think so, despite everyone thinking Max Verstappen will go to Mercedes and leave Redbull, but the rumours were shut down. So despite him, I don’t think there will be any driver switches or replacements. Colapinto seems to be here to stay despite threats from Flavio Biatore on Drive To Survive, but everything on that show is dramatized. On the subject of the show, I still can’t believe that Hulkenberg’s podium wasn’t mentioned, but anyway.
If any team would do a switch, my money is on Bottas, maybe because he was a reserve driver last season, but I don’t think they would put Zhou in instead. I think if he causes any crashes, there is a chance he may be replaced, but we’ll see.
Constructor’s Champion
I think there is a good chance McLaren will win again, but if any team is going to win, I think it will be Mercedes or Red Bull. I think Mercedes is more than Red Bull, given the two drivers showing the most potential so far. Both teams have great drivers, but I think Mercedes has an edge over Red Bull because Antonelli performed better than Hadjar and has shown to have a more reliable car. I think Williams will stay in 5th place, potentially 4th if Carlos and Alex win a race, because Ferrari has become a wild card.
That’s all
What are your F1 predictions? Do you agree with any of my predictions? Let me know in the comments.
Until next time.
Love,
Talia xxx