Sky Sports F1 reporter Simon Lazenby has picked out four teams that could have an advantage in the 2026 season.
With the 2025 Formula 1 season now in the rear-view mirror, all eyes are focusing on 2026.
Ahead of the new campaign, all the talks have been centred around the new regulations, which are designed to produce much closer on-track battles.
The technical regulations will be overhauled with changes to the power unit, chassis and aerodynamic rules.
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From 2026, the cars are set to be more agile, and the power units will be redesigned, with more focus on battery power and the use of advanced sustainable fuels.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, reporter Lazenby claimed that McLaren, Mercedes, Williams and Alpine could have an advantage due to the Mercedes power unit.
He said: "Next year, let's say, you've got that Mercedes engine is seriously better than the others. If we assume that the equipment provided, maybe Mercedes will have an advantage because they are the works team.
"There are four teams with a good (driver) pairing. Maybe we can dial the pairing down a little bit for Alpine as they are still reconstructing. But let's say, a settled team at Williams, McLaren and Mercedes, all going at it in reasonably equal machinery."
Speaking about potential team orders, fellow Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz said Mercedes could have a problem on their hands.
He said: "I'm not even sure it's easy for Mercedes to make a decision, if (Kimi) Antonelli keeps up the momentum he has shown. He is Toto (Wolff, Mercedes team boss)'s protege and George (Russell) is still in doubt for 2027, or you can say both are. It will be interesting."
What has George Russell said about 2026?
Speaking earlier this year, George Russell expressed Mercedes' confidence ahead of 2026.
He said: "I mean, ordinarily, 2026 seems like a long time away, but in the world of Formula 1 it’s going to be here tomorrow, and the team are feeling really confident for this era.
"I think you know the experience the team have had, the success in 2014 with the new powertrain, and then obviously the time in Formula E, the work that was done with the [Mercedes-AMG ONE] Hypercar. There are a lot of individuals within HPP [Mercedes High Performance Powertrains] who have got so much experience with this future technology."
Russell continued: "I think that leaves us in a really great place to have a great engine. And the work [Mercedes fuel and lubricant partner] Petronas are doing on the fuel as well is looking really strong. So, on the engine side, I think we’re feeling very confident for that era."
Marcus Chan