Helmut Marko, a former Red Bull advisor, recently shared his insights on the potential contenders for the 2026 Formula 1 championship. According to Marko, Lando Norris could be a strong contender in the upcoming season, especially if Mercedes emerges with the strongest engine package. Marko also mentioned that George Russell could be in the mix for the title fight if he prepares well.
Marko highlighted that multiple teams, including McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, could be competitive in the new era of F1 racing. With Alpine switching to Mercedes power in 2026 and Williams expected to benefit from Mercedes performance, the competition at the front of the grid could be intense.
If Mercedes starts the new era strongly, Marko believes that the championship could initially feature at least four serious contenders before rivals close the gap. He also mentioned Audi as a potential dark horse in the competition, alongside Honda, Red Bull Powertrains, and Ferrari.
In a statement to ORF, Marko mentioned, “So it could be Lando Norris again. Williams is also making considerable progress, I hear. And if George Russell wants to be at the top, he has to put that into practice now and fight for the World Championship.”
However, Marko also warned Max Verstappen and Red Bull about the performance gap that could emerge in 2026. He pointed out that last season, the performance gaps between teams were relatively small, allowing Verstappen and Russell to fight closely. But with the introduction of new regulations, Marko expects the gaps to widen significantly.
The new regulations will focus on sustainable fuel, chassis concepts, battery systems, and engine performance, with each team partnering with a different fuel supplier. Marko expressed concern that the differences in performance could increase dramatically once the new pecking order is established.
He emphasized the importance of factors like the internal combustion engine, battery performance, software feedback, and carbon-free petrol in determining the performance of the cars in 2026. With the revised chassis rules being relatively manageable, the engine regulations pose a greater challenge, especially for Red Bull Powertrains as a first-time engine manufacturer.
In the 2025 season, Red Bull finished third in the constructors’ championship, with Max Verstappen narrowly losing the drivers’ title to Lando Norris. The 2026 regulations are expected to act as a reset for the grid, potentially reshuffling the competitive pecking order and presenting a new set of challenges for teams and drivers.
As the F1 community eagerly awaits the 2026 season, the dynamics of the championship are set to change significantly, with new regulations, engine suppliers, and performance factors coming into play. It remains to be seen how the teams and drivers adapt to these changes and who ultimately emerges as the champion in the highly competitive world of Formula 1 racing.
