2026 F1 TEAM RANKINGS
2026-03-02 · 5 min read · Formula 1/Auto Racing
2026 F1 TEAM RANKINGS
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With the F1 season starting this week in Australia, we have your season rankings for every team on the 2026 grid.
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P11: Cadillac
F1’s youngest team employs and deploys the eldest driver combination on the grid to start 2026. While Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are both accomplished drivers, they won’t secure you points against this grid either. Simply, there’s a reason both these men lost their respective seats prior to 2025. From a business standpoint, GM knows racing. They know how to develop a mechanically sound racecar; that’s a proven formula.
However, they’re still young in this game, and that was obvious at testing. They’re not going to compete and want to utilize proven drivers to nurse their team through year one. However, if that’s the elected strategy, why not sign a fan favourite and build your brand with Daniel Ricciardo? The Aussie is beloved around the world and would’ve surely brought eyes to Cadillac both on the track and through social media. Obviously, no scenario is that cut-and-dry; however, the point is that GM missed a business opportunity and will lose points in 2026 both on the track and on the NYSE because of it.
F1’s youngest team employs and deploys the eldest driver combination on the grid to start 2026. While Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez are both accomplished drivers, they won’t secure you points against this grid either. Simply, there’s a reason both these men lost their respective seats prior to 2025. From a business standpoint, GM knows racing. They know how to develop a mechanically sound racecar; that’s a proven formula.
However, they’re still young in this game, and that was obvious at testing. They’re not going to compete and want to utilize proven drivers to nurse their team through year one. However, if that’s the elected strategy, why not sign a fan favourite and build your brand with Daniel Ricciardo? The Aussie is beloved around the world and would’ve surely brought eyes to Cadillac both on the track and through social media. Obviously, no scenario is that cut-and-dry; however, the point is that GM missed a business opportunity and will lose points in 2026 both on the track and on the NYSE because of it.
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P10: Aston Martin
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Austin Martin entering 2026. They seemed to make the right moves off track to ensure their car excelled on the track. However, Aston Martin leaves testing looking like the least prepared team on the grid, with most of the issues centred around the Honda power unit. Repeated engine-related problems limited consistent sessions and left everyone with questions about their pace. While there may be potential in these cars, it was a disappointing showing to say the least. From a preparation standpoint, Aston Martin appeared the least prepared team of the pre-season. However, they have the pieces in place to maneuver up the grid, should they figure it out.
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Austin Martin entering 2026. They seemed to make the right moves off track to ensure their car excelled on the track. However, Aston Martin leaves testing looking like the least prepared team on the grid, with most of the issues centred around the Honda power unit. Repeated engine-related problems limited consistent sessions and left everyone with questions about their pace. While there may be potential in these cars, it was a disappointing showing to say the least. From a preparation standpoint, Aston Martin appeared the least prepared team of the pre-season. However, they have the pieces in place to maneuver up the grid, should they figure it out.
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P9: Williams
Williams looks to be a wild card. They ran fast and pushed a brilliant pace on softs, posting eyebrow raising times. However, race simulations were all over the place. They’ve shown potential, but putting it together over the course of a race, let alone a season, leaves too much doubt.
Williams looks to be a wild card. They ran fast and pushed a brilliant pace on softs, posting eyebrow raising times. However, race simulations were all over the place. They’ve shown potential, but putting it together over the course of a race, let alone a season, leaves too much doubt.
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P8: Audi
Audi showed incredible improvement throughout testing. Like GM’s Cadillac, Audi makes its F1 debut in 2026, and, like GM, they know how to build a hell of a racecar. The difference is that Audi takes over the former Kick Sauber team and drivers. The youthful Gabriel Bortoleto secured 19 points in his rookie season. While he was prone to crashing in 2025, he looked much more comfortable in testing. Steady veteran Nico Hulkenberg locked up 51 points in 2025, including his maiden podium in GB. This is a solid driving duo that will compete for points race by race.
Audi showed incredible improvement throughout testing. Like GM’s Cadillac, Audi makes its F1 debut in 2026, and, like GM, they know how to build a hell of a racecar. The difference is that Audi takes over the former Kick Sauber team and drivers. The youthful Gabriel Bortoleto secured 19 points in his rookie season. While he was prone to crashing in 2025, he looked much more comfortable in testing. Steady veteran Nico Hulkenberg locked up 51 points in 2025, including his maiden podium in GB. This is a solid driving duo that will compete for points race by race.
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P7: Racing Bulls
The Racing Bulls have shown extreme pace, but lack consistency. With Red Bull flipping their second driver faster than flapjacks, this team will continue to struggle. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who spent time with Red Bull in 2025, are back on the Racing Bulls proving ground. Although Tsunoda, who replaced Lawson at Red Bull in 2025, will serve as the Racing Bulls and Red Bull Racing reserve driver backing up Lawson and Arvin Lindblad, Isack Hadjar will now attempt to finally fill the second Red Bull seat. With all the musical chairs being played with the second Red Bull seat, the quality of the Racing Bull's car goes overlooked. However, we saw some solid times from a motivated Lawson.
The Racing Bulls have shown extreme pace, but lack consistency. With Red Bull flipping their second driver faster than flapjacks, this team will continue to struggle. Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda, who spent time with Red Bull in 2025, are back on the Racing Bulls proving ground. Although Tsunoda, who replaced Lawson at Red Bull in 2025, will serve as the Racing Bulls and Red Bull Racing reserve driver backing up Lawson and Arvin Lindblad, Isack Hadjar will now attempt to finally fill the second Red Bull seat. With all the musical chairs being played with the second Red Bull seat, the quality of the Racing Bull's car goes overlooked. However, we saw some solid times from a motivated Lawson.
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P6: Alpine
Alpine F1 Team needs to crawl out of the basement after an embarrassing 2025 season in which they earned just 22 points. Less than a third of the points of the second-lowest team in the 2025 standings, Kick Sauber. However, they did admit they were turning their attention to 2026 early in the 2025 season, and it appears to have paid off. Through testing, the team appears more in sync than ever, and it shows on the track with consistently solid times. The addition of the Mercedes power unit and attention to detail have them ready to compete in the middle of the grid this season.
Alpine F1 Team needs to crawl out of the basement after an embarrassing 2025 season in which they earned just 22 points. Less than a third of the points of the second-lowest team in the 2025 standings, Kick Sauber. However, they did admit they were turning their attention to 2026 early in the 2025 season, and it appears to have paid off. Through testing, the team appears more in sync than ever, and it shows on the track with consistently solid times. The addition of the Mercedes power unit and attention to detail have them ready to compete in the middle of the grid this season.
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P5: Haas
Haas F1 Team has been awarded our “best of the rest” ranking entering 2026. The American team has made steady improvements over the years and now have drivers ready to break out in Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon. We like Bearman to outperform Ocon in 2026 and to battle for points regularly. This team meshed at testing; they didn’t make any headlines, but they didn’t make many mistakes and that could prove invaluable in 2026.
Haas F1 Team has been awarded our “best of the rest” ranking entering 2026. The American team has made steady improvements over the years and now have drivers ready to break out in Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon. We like Bearman to outperform Ocon in 2026 and to battle for points regularly. This team meshed at testing; they didn’t make any headlines, but they didn’t make many mistakes and that could prove invaluable in 2026.
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P4: Red Bull Racing
This is the first time Red Bull Racing will start a season without former team principal Christian Horner. With the distractions now aside, Max Verstappen and his ever-changing understudy, now Isack Hadjar, will look to compete in 2026.
The car can catapult off the start, and anytime you give Verstappen a boost, he’ll be in contention. Whether this car can carry this team to a Championship is yet to be seen, but, as in 2025, the big question for Red Bull is: who is their second man?
This is the first time Red Bull Racing will start a season without former team principal Christian Horner. With the distractions now aside, Max Verstappen and his ever-changing understudy, now Isack Hadjar, will look to compete in 2026.
The car can catapult off the start, and anytime you give Verstappen a boost, he’ll be in contention. Whether this car can carry this team to a Championship is yet to be seen, but, as in 2025, the big question for Red Bull is: who is their second man?
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P3: McLaren
McLaren has two legitimate No. 1 drivers who will be in contention in 2026. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are proven winners who bleed competitiveness and adaptability. No matter how the car performs, they will be in the mix. Luckily for them, the car seems to be a well-balanced package. While they may lack a touch of pace, McLaren has put itself in a fine position to defend their Constructors title for a second consecutive year.
McLaren has two legitimate No. 1 drivers who will be in contention in 2026. Reigning World Champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are proven winners who bleed competitiveness and adaptability. No matter how the car performs, they will be in the mix. Luckily for them, the car seems to be a well-balanced package. While they may lack a touch of pace, McLaren has put itself in a fine position to defend their Constructors title for a second consecutive year.
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P2: Scuderia Ferrari
Ferrari might’ve shown off the coolest innovation we’ve seen on a car in years. This looks like a Hot-Wheel met an X-Wing Fighter, and we’re here for all the nostalgia, especially with Lewis Hamilton looking near vintage in testing. Yes, it was Charles Leclarec who set the pace in testing, but the point stands; these eye-catching innovations have come with genuine pace, and that pace was the standard at testing. The car is clearly there. The drivers have the talent. Can they put it together for a full race and season is the question.
Ferrari might’ve shown off the coolest innovation we’ve seen on a car in years. This looks like a Hot-Wheel met an X-Wing Fighter, and we’re here for all the nostalgia, especially with Lewis Hamilton looking near vintage in testing. Yes, it was Charles Leclarec who set the pace in testing, but the point stands; these eye-catching innovations have come with genuine pace, and that pace was the standard at testing. The car is clearly there. The drivers have the talent. Can they put it together for a full race and season is the question.
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Ferrari's Innovations on Display
Ferrari's Exhaust Inovation
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P1: Mercedes
Mercedes was the most put-together team at testing. Not necessarily the fastest, but the car looks ready for open competition. Furthermore, Mercedes has a cheeky advantage over the field. The Mercedes power unit can increase the compression ratio from the 16:1 FIA baseline to 18:1 at higher temperatures, generating an extra ~20 brake horsepower. While the FIA rule states that 16:1 is the maximum compression ratio, it also specifies the temperature at which engines will be tested. It’s a clear loophole Mercedes has exploited, and that should pay dividends throughout the season, especially in warm climates and conditions. While they won’t win every race, George Russell will be in contention on a weekly basis.
Mercedes was the most put-together team at testing. Not necessarily the fastest, but the car looks ready for open competition. Furthermore, Mercedes has a cheeky advantage over the field. The Mercedes power unit can increase the compression ratio from the 16:1 FIA baseline to 18:1 at higher temperatures, generating an extra ~20 brake horsepower. While the FIA rule states that 16:1 is the maximum compression ratio, it also specifies the temperature at which engines will be tested. It’s a clear loophole Mercedes has exploited, and that should pay dividends throughout the season, especially in warm climates and conditions. While they won’t win every race, George Russell will be in contention on a weekly basis.
By: Conner Rowntree
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