Rarely has there been such anticipation ahead of a new set of Formula 1 regulations. And the amount of concern expressed about them has also been unusual. But the first signs are that F1 2026 is in better shape than many expected.
Early indications also suggest that Mercedes looks strong. As Jake Boxall-Legge points out in our cover feature, there are already some parallels with 2014, when Mercedes started an incredible run of domination. It’s too early to say whether George Russell will finally have the title-contending car he obviously deserves – and McLaren, of course, has the same powertrain – but the signs are positive.
