Because the 2026 F1 season restarts in Miami, our F1 writers revisit the pre-season predictions they made on the conclusion of winter testing in Bahrain. Who’s nonetheless on monitor and who’s trying foolish already?
Constructors: That is how we voted
Standings after 3 races
Ronald Vording
Jake Boxall-Legge
Filip Cleeren
1.
Mercedes
Mercedes
Mercedes
2.
Ferrari
Ferrari
3. McLaren
McLaren
McLaren
Ferrari
4. Haas
Pink Bull
Pink Bull
Pink Bull
5.
Alpine
Alpine
Alpine
6. Pink Bull
Haas
Haas
7.
Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls
Haas
8.
Williams
Williams
Racing Bulls
9. Williams
Audi
Audi
Aston Martin
10. Cadillac
Aston Martin
Aston Martin
Audi
11. Aston Martin
Cadillac
Cadillac
Cadillac
No surprises on the entrance
Ronald Vording: “Relating to the groups, it ought to come as no shock that I’m sticking with my prediction for the constructors’ champion. is true that Mercedes’ benefit gained’t final endlessly, however its decline will probably be gradual — and the crew’s edge over the primary three race weekends was truly a bit larger than it appeared, partly masked by the yo-yo racing.
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“If I have been to alter something within the high three, I would now rank McLaren second. The beginning of the season has been difficult for Andrea Stella’s crew, nevertheless it has made vital progress in understanding the facility unit since Melbourne, and its improvement on the chassis aspect has historically been sturdy.
“Behind them, I anticipate Pink Bull to get well considerably over time — not sufficient to problem the highest three groups, however sufficient to ultimately beat Alpine to the ‘better of the remaining’ place behind Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari. As for the remaining, I might solely swap Audi and Williams, though the Grove-based crew might nonetheless make vital features because it continues to scale back weight.”
Haas is defying expectations to date with an early fourth place within the standings as Pink Bull struggles.
Haas is defying expectations to date with an early fourth place within the standings as Pink Bull struggles.
Jake Boxall-Legge: “When it comes to the groups’ aggressive order up to now, I feel I used to be within the ballpark. Mercedes and Ferrari, per testing, at all times seemed a step forward, though McLaren is catching the Prancing Horses now that it is acquired its begins collectively.
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“I feel one might make a simple swap and swap Audi and Williams round, however I can not actually quibble with the remaining; whereas Haas and Alpine are presently forward of Pink Bull within the championship, this is not essentially an indicator of tempo at this stage. We’re within the attention-grabbing a part of the season the place groups begin placing their larger improvement gadgets collectively, so there’s each likelihood that this might shuffle round.
“My picks of Aston Martin and Cadillac on the rear most likely will not change in the intervening time, until Cadillac has discovered greater than a second per lap, and if Aston Martin and Honda have ironed out their mixed points…”
Filip Cleeren: “I had McLaren forward of Ferrari for second and I nonetheless really feel fairly good about that. I nonetheless again the papaya squad to get forward on the long-term and I am curious to see how a lot the crew’s Miami Grand Prix improve bundle goes to be a step in that course.
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“The place I’ve deviated subsequent is Williams, and I have been fairly flawed to date on the crew confirming its upward pattern from 2025, with a automotive that’s extra chubby and underdeveloped than initially anticipated. And the way might none of us had predicted Haas in fourth?! Disappointing! I feel it is simply the beginning of what is going to be a detailed season-long battle that may preserve fluctuating as groups deliver upgrades, and that is what we wish to see.”
Drivers: That is how we voted
Standings after 3 races
Ronald Vording
Jake Boxall-Legge
Filip Cleeren
1. Kimi Antonelli
George Russell
George Russell
George Russell
2. George Russell
Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc
3. Charles Leclerc
Kimi Antonelli
4.
Lando Norris
Lando Norris
Max Verstappen
5. Lando Norris
Max Verstappen
Oscar Piastri
6. Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli
Oscar Piastri
Lewis Hamilton
7.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton
Kimi Antonelli
8.
Isack Hadjar
Isack Hadjar
9. Max Verstappen
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly
Pierre Gasly
10.
Oliver Bearman
Oliver Bearman
We underestimated Kimi Antonelli
Filip Cleeren: “My greatest gaffe was Kimi Antonelli on the drivers’ aspect, who I had solely put seventh. I’m more than pleased to be confirmed flawed by the Italian teenager, who seems to be like he is figured it out and may give George Russell and run for his cash. I nonetheless suppose Russell is the person to beat, although.”
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Ronald Vording: “Yeah, in relation to the drivers, it’s clear that I additionally rated far too low in my preliminary predictions. That’s partly as a result of Mercedes seem like even additional forward than initially anticipated, however above all as a result of the younger Italian has made a powerful impression over the primary three race weekends. After all, he’ll inevitably make errors, however even taking that into consideration, I might nonetheless promote him to second place within the up to date predictions.
“Given Pink Bull’s points, it additionally is sensible to position each McLaren drivers in addition to Lewis Hamilton forward of Max Verstappen. The Miami race weekend ought to give us a bit extra readability — particularly to see whether or not Pink Bull now totally understands the (vital) points with the RB22 — however even then, there’s nonetheless plenty of work to be completed in Milton Keynes.”
Kimi Antonelli has grown up faster than anticipated with Mercedes, main the standings after three weekends.
Kimi Antonelli has grown up faster than anticipated with Mercedes, main the standings after three weekends.
Jake Boxall-Legge: “I had Russell Leclerc, and Antonelli as my high three, though not presently in the best order; I perhaps thought Ferrari and Leclerc is perhaps nearer, and did not anticipate Antonelli to be difficult Russell fairly a lot (though Russell has had fairly just a few points on his finish).
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“Hamilton has been undersold, so I have never completed properly there – though it wasn’t completely clear on the time that he’d get right into a groove with the brand new vehicles. Verstappen, in the meantime, has a automotive that to date hasn’t delivered; I slotted him between the McLaren drivers, however I would should put him under the Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren drivers if we have been having one other go. Pierre Gasly and Ollie Bearman have been one of the best of the midfielders although, and I had them within the high 10 – so I’m naturally (to date) delighted with my new-found clairvoyance…”
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