RaceFans readers knew what to expect from last year’s Formula 1 driver line-up. They correctly predicted who would out-score their original team mate in eight out of the 10 teams.
Can you do even better in 2026? Most of the driver pairings are unchanged but there’s an extra team on the grid now. Who will come out on top in each of the 11 teams?
McLaren: Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri
It was more than a battle for bragging rights at McLaren last year. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri fought for the drivers’ championship until the final race of the season, taking so many points off each other they almost opened the door for Max Verstappen to beat them both.
Norris may have won but Piastri, in his third season of F1, led most of the year. Just 13 points separated them come the end of the season, though Norris lost more than that suffering the team’s only race-ending technical failure of the year at Zandvoort. Nonetheless, Piastri coming out on top this year is clearly a realistic possibility.
Which McLaren driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
Mercedes: Andrea Kimi Antonelli vs George Russell
Last week’s season-opening test at the Circuit de Catalunya gave the first solid indication there might be some substance to the rumours Mercedes have gained the upper hand on their rivals during the off-season. If that is the case, their drivers could head into the season as championship favourites.
The experienced George Russell showed rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli the way last year, winning twice. But Antonelli rebounded from a rough mid-season spell to end the year in fine form. He will surely be closer this year.
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Which Mercedes driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
Red Bull: Max Verstappen vs Isack Hadjar
During his rookie season last year, Isack Hadjar admitted the prospect of going up against Verstappen at Red Bull was daunting. But it has come to pass, and it remains to be seen how the stand-out newcomer of last year will fare against the driver who has dominated a succession of team mates in recent years.
Which Red Bull driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Isack Hadjar (3%)
- Max Verstappen (97%)
Total Voters: 116
Ferrari: Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton’s first season as a Ferrari driver ended poorly, with a string of Q1 eliminations. Earlier in the season he had seemed more of a match for Charles Leclerc, but his failure to even reach the podium last year clearly stung. Are the seven-times champion’s best days behind him?
Which Ferrari driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Lewis Hamilton (21%)
- Charles Leclerc (79%)
Total Voters: 116
Williams: Alexander Albon vs Carlos Sainz Jnr
This was one of only two intra-team fights which our readers did not correctly predict the outcome of last year. A clear majority backed Carlos Sainz Jnr, who lost to Alexander Albon.
However it was a close fight, just nine points in it, and Sainz clearly held the upper hand over the final third of the season, where he reached the podium twice. This one could surely go either way.
Which Williams driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Alexander Albon (11%)
- Carlos Sainz Jnr (89%)
Total Voters: 117
Aston Martin: Fernando Alonso vs Lance Stroll
Fernando Alonso may have been hotly tipped to continue his run of out-scoring Lance Stroll but after a slow start to the season it took him most of the year to get ahead. The final score line may have been clearly in Alonso’s favour but it was a surprise this one ever looked close.
Which Aston Martin driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Lance Stroll (1%)
- Fernando Alonso (99%)
Total Voters: 117
Haas: Esteban Ocon vs Oliver Bearman
This was the other battle our readers failed to predict correctly. Not unreasonably, most thought the experienced Esteban Ocon would lead the way at Haas, but rookie Oliver Bearman pipped him by just three points. Ocon was much happier with his car at the final race last year, however, so Bearman may expect to face a renewed threat from the other side of the garage.
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Which Haas driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Esteban Ocon (19%)
- Oliver Bearman (81%)
Total Voters: 118
Racing Bulls: Liam Lawson vs Arvid Lindblad
Just 4% of readers last year predicted Liam Lawson would beat Verstappen at Red Bull, but did anyone expect him to get the boot after just two appearances? He salvaged his reputation with his performances after returning to Racing Bulls, and now faces the only rookie on the 2026 grid, Formula 2 graduate Arvid Lindblad.
Which Racing Bulls driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Arvid Lindblad (34%)
- Liam Lawson (66%)
Total Voters: 116
Audi: Nico Hulkenberg vs Gabriel Bortoleto
Although experienced racer Nico Hulkenberg finished eight places ahead of newcomer Gabriel Bortoleto at the team formerly known as Sauber last year, the rookie showed serious potential. Bortoleto even narrowly won the qualifying battle between the pair, and could give Hulkenberg some real competition at Audi.
Which Audi driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
Alpine: Pierre Gasly vs Franco Colapinto
Alpine showed little patience with Jack Doohan last year and quickly ushered him aside to bring Franco Colapinto in. His results weren’t drastically better, but the team have kept the faith in the driver who looked so promising on his debut for Williams at the end of 2024. This will be his first chance to start a season with a team and benefit from prior testing, as he goes up against season campaigner Pierre Gasly.
Which Alpine driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Franco Colapinto (3%)
- Pierre Gasly (97%)
Total Voters: 118
Cadillac: Sergio Perez vs Valtteri Bottas
Cadillac’s first driver line-up will make for a fascinating match-up: two highly experienced, race-winning drivers who’ve gone up against the best in the business. Plus, with Colton Herta waiting in the wings, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez know their comeback could prove short-lived if they fail to perform.
Which Cadillac driver will beat his team mate in the championship?
- Valtteri Bottas (73%)
- Sergio Perez (27%)
Total Voters: 119
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