F1 2026 (1 Viewer)

Saddlebrains · Feb 14, 2026

Think about now is the right time to start this years thread off the back of first week of testing. Only 3 weeks until lights out in Melbourne

Very intriguing year to come with the new rules etc, is it better? Is it worse? Will the racing improve? Early signs are mixed

Seemingly according to Ted Kravitz and Craig Slater, Ferrari and Mercedes are the current front runners, which i hope is the case, ive long since wanted to see Leclerc and Russell in championship winning machinery. Can't write off Mclaren or Verstappen of course, the dream is a 4 way battle between the relevant teams

For me I feel this is the last season we will see Alonso and Hamilton, especially with the pig Aston have made for Fernando

Can see Williams getting their act together and hopefully fighting for podiums. A lot to look forward too

What are your hopes and expectations this year? If i was a betting man i think my money would be on George....

Gaz71 · Feb 14, 2026

Interesting seeing the top 4 teams all saying the others are faster, very cat and mouse after testing.
I’m surprised how far off Aston are considering the investment and bringing Newey in.

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Paul Anthony · Feb 14, 2026

I don't know how this is going to go. It's either going to be total chaos, or it's going to be full of drivers being too careful because of having to recharge the battery. I'm predicting a fairly hefty crash early on in the season with the massive amounts of LiCo they're going to need. I'd say I'd put my money on Stroll, but Aston Martin seem so far off it, they might be McLaren Honda all over again (that'll please Alonso...).

Ridiculous that they're having to lift and coast on a qualy lap because the battery doesn't recharge enough over the lap. That's just wrong to me. Qualy should be about attacking every corner on the absolute edge. Anything else, just doesn't sit right.

Saddlebrains · Feb 14, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
I don't know how this is going to go. It's either going to be total chaos, or it's going to be full of drivers being too careful because of having to recharge the battery. I'm predicting a fairly hefty crash early on in the season with the massive amounts of LiCo they're going to need. I'd say I'd put my money on Stroll, but Aston Martin seem so far off it, they might be McLaren Honda all over again (that'll please Alonso...).

Ridiculous that they're having to lift and coast on a qualy lap because the battery doesn't recharge enough over the lap. That's just wrong to me. Qualy should be about attacking every corner on the absolute edge. Anything else, just doesn't sit right.

Couldnt agree more, the noises coming out the last couple of days seem to show a complete clusterfuck

mmttww · Feb 15, 2026

if they've had to build cars that can't manage a single lap at full tilt without managing energy recovery at the expense of pure pace, that's a worry.

samccov1987 · Feb 15, 2026

Not sure what to make of this season. I like the look of the new cars but the noises coming out about the strategies to charge the battery feels counter intuitive.

Could be really open especially first half of the season but also worry that best driver and car may not get the rub of the green.

tisza · Feb 15, 2026

I'm really not sure about this season. Got a fear that more than ever it's going to be about the pitwall managing races rather than the drivers. Been a growing trend over recent seasons about drivers being told in race about having to manage xyz (rather than race) and that looks like it could take a big jump this season.

Saddlebrains · Feb 18, 2026

Ferrari starting to look like they may finally have not made a pig

Paul Anthony · Feb 18, 2026

I think we're going to hear a lot of grumpy team radio from Fernando Alonso this season.

Saddlebrains · Feb 18, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
I think we're going to hear a lot of grumpy team radio from Fernando Alonso this season.

Him and Lewis should knock it on the head anyway i feel

edgy · Feb 18, 2026

Can we have 30 mins of artificial rain in every race please?

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · Feb 18, 2026

edgy said:
Can we have 30 mins of artificial rain in every race please?

Didn't Bernie Ecclestone suggest that when he was in charge?

Paul Anthony · Feb 18, 2026

Sky_Blue_Dreamer said:
Didn't Bernie Ecclestone suggest that when he was in charge?

More or less. He wanted sprinklers which would be turned on at random.

edgy · Feb 18, 2026

Would improve 50% of the races.

Paul Anthony · Feb 18, 2026

The street circuit pandemic that's affected Formula One has hit MotoGP now that Liberty Media owns it (how predictable). They've binned off Philip Island (always among the best races of the season) and the talk is it's for a street circuit in Adelaide.

Can't imagine anything that could possibly go wrong with that....

Paul Anthony · Feb 19, 2026

Watching videos of the practice starts at the end of the day, the Ferrari powered cars are absolute rocket ships off the line.

Saddlebrains · Feb 19, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
Watching videos of the practice starts at the end of the day, the Ferrari powered cars are absolute rocket ships off the line.

Just watched one, incredible pull away.

I still feel Mercedes have pace to use but it would be great to see Ferrari finally back

mmttww · Feb 19, 2026

Saddlebrains said:
Just watched one, incredible pull away.

this is a very on-brand statement for You.

Saddlebrains · Feb 20, 2026

The Ferrari hype train has fully left the station

Incredible speed so far both on race runs and quality runs

mmttww · Feb 21, 2026

Just watched some footage from practice today and the Ferrari looks like a rocket but tbf, all cars looks so much faster on the straights. I get the size change makes them look quicker but still... fast circuits could be pretty special this season. Imagine Silverstone, Spa etc al. with cars at those speeds. Mental.

Paul Anthony · Mar 5, 2026

This is how much trouble Aston are in...

Liquid Gold · Mar 5, 2026

Fuck off is the season starting already. I was living in Melbourne for the GP last year and that was about 3 months ago I'm sure.

Saddlebrains · Mar 5, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
This is how much trouble Aston are in...

That absolutely has to go down as the worst moment for a team at a season opener ever surely????

Thats pathetic

Paul Anthony · Mar 5, 2026

Saddlebrains said:
That absolutely has to go down as the worst moment for a team at a season opener ever surely????

Thats pathetic

As bad as Aston Martin are, at least they'll never be quite as bad as Mastercard Lola.

Saddlebrains · Mar 7, 2026

Season over already it seems. Mercedes a second clear

Paul Anthony · Mar 7, 2026

There's almost universal agreement that they aren't showing their full hand as well.

tisza · Mar 7, 2026

still not sure how quali will relate to race pace with all these new "management" factors

Paul Anthony · Mar 7, 2026

It doesn't bode well, does it.

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 7, 2026

Have been a bit too distracted by life things to really get my teeth into pre-season other than watching the odd recap video on testing, but even with minimal exposure this season feels a bit off. Wouldn't be surprised if this season is shite while they iron out what they can.

Quali went pretty much as expected, glad I didn't get up for it. I'm still planning on getting up for the race to see what it's like but not with much enthusiasm.

tisza · Mar 7, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
It doesn't bode well, does it.

said it earlier I've real concerns for this season.
FIA/F1 almost trying to be too clever for their own good. They've moved it closer to Formula E.
Teams should have been allowed a lot more on track testing before this was launched.
If the actual racing doesn't improve or there is widening of the gap between teams (that had been closing over last few seasons) there could be a big back lash from fans.

Paul Anthony · Mar 7, 2026

tisza said:
said it earlier I've real concerns for this season.
FIA/F1 almost trying to be too clever for their own good. They've moved it closer to Formula E.
Teams should have been allowed a lot more on track testing before this was launched.
If the actual racing doesn't improve or there is widening of the gap between teams (that had been closing over last few seasons) there could be a big back lash from fans.

I'm really debating if I can be bothered to get up for it. I think the only reason I'm still considering it is because I'm curious just how big a cluster it might possibly be.

tisza · Mar 7, 2026

Paul Anthony said:
I'm really debating if I can be bothered to get up for it. I think the only reason I'm still considering it is because I'm curious just how big a cluster it might possibly be.

I'm going to give it a go as it is the first race of the season and hope it's good one.Think we may see some carnage on the start.

Nuskyblue · Mar 7, 2026

Saddlebrains said:
Season over already it seems. Mercedes a second clear

They said post qual that Australia is a "low energy" track. Apparently favours the engines with smaller turbos and to expect different outcomes on the non street tracks.

I have to say as a casual observer this hybrid cobblers is a farce. Not the tech, probably more the implementation, going back F1 was the absolute pinnacle of performance. Over the last 10 years that seems to be gone, tactics, tyres, hybrid and drs have made it a nause IMO

Saddlebrains · Mar 7, 2026

Nuskyblue said:
They said post qual that Australia is a "low energy" track. Apparently favours the engines with smaller turbos and to expect different outcomes on the non street tracks.

I have to say as a casual observer this hybrid cobblers is a farce. Not the tech, probably more the implementation, going back F1 was the absolute pinnacle of performance. Over the last 10 years that seems to be gone, tactics, tyres, hybrid and drs have made it a nause IMO

It is a farce. You're right, F1 is eating itself

SkyBlueSoul · Mar 7, 2026

Just remembered I found a site last season that puts full race replays up, fuck getting up at 3:45. Easy enough to avoid the result and watch it with my brekkie instead

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