2026 F1 Season Thoughts & Predictions
We are officially one week out from the start of the 2026 F1 Season. I can feel truest self defrosting. F1 off season allows me to take up arms against other sports, i.e. my NFL tirade. But, tell a friend to tell a friend, she’s bbbbaaaaaccccckkkkkk. Beginning on March 6th, all of my rage and happiness will come from 22! men driving around tracks across the world. Can you feel my excitement? I am getting excited just writing this.
The time as come though. Post preseason testing is the time I place my predictions & this time I have 0 frame of mind of what could possibly happen. The 2026 season is full of changes. We are adding a team - Cadillac F1 which means we are bumping our team total to 11 with 22 total drivers. To add more chaos to the mix, we have a complete overhaul of the specs for our cars, so we are all going into this season blind. Maybe, I will do a post going over the changes being made, let me know.
I can’t wait. So, without further ado…..
Kat’s 2026 Season Predictions
Rookie on Podium
There is only one rookie this season. Arvid Lindblad. He is taking Isack Hadjar’s spot on Racing Bulls since our lovely Isack was called up to be driver 2 for Red Bull Racing. By default, Arvid is our great rookie hope. This seems like a cop out but don’t worry, there is never saying never. Especially this year.
Sophomore Slump
Now, last year I didn’t have this as a category but given our plethora of sophomore drivers, I figured this was an excellent addition. Sadly, this next sentence is going to hurt me to type. Given the history of the job - I think that Isack Hadjar is going to be our driver who suffers a sophomore slump. It is the curse of the Red Bull 2nd driver. When Max Verstappen is your first driver it is a hazard of the job. Between the new car specs & joining a new team, our Frenchman is going to struggle this season to put things together & get the results that are up to the standard of Red Bull. Hopefully, they actually let him have the season to figure it out because I may not be a Red Bull fan but I am an Isack fan, so if they hurt a hair on that boys head, I will fly to Milton Keynes.
Jumpscare (good way)
I made the mistake last year of giving this to Aston Martin. Never again. Never. They don’t deserve any title as things stand with that team & its drivers. This season, it’s going to be Haas. I think that given the talent of their driver lineup & the unknown of the cars, I think we all need to be keeping an eye on things that are happening in the Haas camp. To me, there is so much potential here to waste.
Constructor Champion
Guys. This is gutsy. This is scary hours. Because really, who. I genuinely don’t know. There is so much unknown but I am willing to take that leap of faith. Which for me, is saying a lot. I know I sound like a broken record saying this but the point itself can not be emphasized enough. With everything changing this is extremely up in the air. So, I am deciding to go with my gut. Constructor Champion this year is Ferrari. I am putting all my eggs in a bright red basket this season & I will not be dissuaded from these thoughts. So, please feel free to follow along as my fellow Italian’s hopefully return to the top of the F1 standings. If not, I will renounce my citizenship.
Drivers Champion
Il Predestinato. The second that Lando Norris crossed the finish line in Abu Dhabi last season, I code switched from McLaren fan to a Ferrari fan. Once my top client, Mr. Norris became a World Champion, it became abundantly clear, Charles needed to be a world champion. This is necessary to my well being along with millions of others that Ferrari do the right thing this season & get the pope to bless the car. Whatever it takes. Charles Leclerc needs to rightfully claim his title by birthright of Formula One World Champion. I will not be a happy fan until this happens.
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Don’t worry, McLaren is still my team & those are my drivers for better or for worse. The closest to Stockholm Syndrome I will ever have. But this season, if I were to place my bets, I am placing it all on Red.
Melbourne can not come soon enough. Still having an entire 11 days from when we have cars on track as part of a race weekend may actually send me to a hospital. Friends & Family, please reach out now because the second the lights go out in Australia, F1 is my sole focus in life until the last lap in Abu Dhabi.
Talk soon.
