2026 F1 season shakes up the grid as Mercedes and Ferrari dominate early races
The 2026 Formula 1 season has already delivered surprises as teams adjust to major rule changes. With two races completed, Mercedes and Ferrari have shown the strongest form, while McLaren struggles after last year's championship success. The next challenge arrives at Suzuka, a track unlike the previous venues in Australia and China, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli took victories in the opening races, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc securing third and fourth places respectively. Mercedes and Ferrari appear best suited to the new regulations, leaving rivals behind.
McLaren, the defending champions, have faced unexpected difficulties. Their early-season performance contrasts sharply with their 2025 dominance. Honda's return as Aston Martin's engine supplier has also hit problems. Compared to their successful Red Bull partnership (2021–2024), the new power units suffer from a weak V6 turbo, poor energy recovery (below 250 kW), and severe vibrations that damage batteries and gearboxes. Reliability issues surfaced during Bahrain testing and persisted in the Australian GP. At Suzuka, a circuit where Hamilton has won five times—four of them at this track—Russell topped the first practice session. The layout's high-speed corners and technical demands differ greatly from Melbourne and Shanghai. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen retired in China after car troubles, adding to the unpredictable start.
The Suzuka round will test teams' adaptability before the series moves to Miami. Honda's struggles and McLaren's dip in form highlight the impact of F1's latest overhaul. With Mercedes and Ferrari leading, the next races will show whether others can close the gap.
