Top 5 F1 teams best prepared for 2026 regulation changes

It’s going to be a long, arduous wait before the new-spec 2026 cars hit the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

That said, some of the murmurs coming out of the F1 paddock already provide us with a pretty good indication as to where each outfit stands with respect to next year’s regulation changes. 

So, putting our analytical and investigative hats on, here we discuss the top five teams best prepared for the 2026 regulation changes. 

5. Oracle Red Bull Racing

Given all the unrest surrounding the Milton Keynes-based outfit — from irrational driver swaps, damaging reports regarding the internal working environment, to the shock exit of Christian Horner — there were lots of question marks surrounding Red Bull’s and Max Verstappen’s futures both during the 2025 season and beyond. However, under Laurent Mekies’ leadership, the team have witnessed a jump in both performance and morale.

Verstappen was able to mount an unlikely title charge and missed out on retaining his title in the final race by just two points, but many worried whether this would prove to be his best shot at that fifth title with all the uncertainty surrounding Red Bull. Some had discarded both Red Bull and the Dutchman before the season ended, partly due to the departure of legendary design engineer Adrian Newey and the monumental shift from a Honda engine to a new Ford-backed Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) one.

Although this may seem like their first rodeo, what many seem to forget is that Red Bull have steadily poached some of Mercedes’ top engineers for the Powertrains department ever since the decision was made in 2021. These engineers played a key role in developing what was arguably the best engine in the history of the sport during Mercedes’ dominant eight-year run at the peak of the hybrid era.

Thus, with arguably the greatest driver in Max Verstappen, and a team of staff who have delivered multiple championships across various technical eras, it would be foolish to count Red Bull and Max Verstappen out just yet.

4. Atlassian Williams Racing

Under the astute leadership of Team Principal James Vowles, Williams have already demonstrated a clear vision, making the aggressive but necessary decision to halt development on the current car early and throw maximum resources at the 2026 project, a move few midfield rivals dared to make.

This early, shrewd decision to start working on a completely new power unit, active aerodynamics, and lighter chassis regulations provides a crucial time advantage. Moreover, given that the team are more financially secure and have amassed a staff who have gained a fundamental understanding of the car, having shown improvements year on year, James Vowles and Co now have a base from which they can launch into front-running contention.

Add to that the undeniable talent and proven race craft of a top-tier driver pairing like Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon, who can maximise any opportunity presented (just like the podium finishes in Baku and Qatar), and you can see how Williams could position themselves as the dark horses capable of capitalising once the grid is reshuffled, transforming their 2025 double-podium success into a consistent, front-running threat.

3. Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team

Aston Martin have by far been one of the most confusing teams on the grid. Whenever there’s a massive change in technical regulations, there are certain parameters one has to tick to be considered one of the front-runners for the new regulations. Aston Martin, in that regard, have done everything in the last five years to become one of the best teams on the grid for this set of new technical regulations.

Owner Lawrence Stroll’s massive investment of £150 million culminating in a new factory, a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, and an elite recruitment drive finally aligns with the ultimate competitive factor: a works partnership with Honda.

This exclusive engine deal, combined with the arrival of legendary design engineer Adrian Newey, who is entirely focused on exploiting the new aero and power unit regulations, creates a perfect storm of resources, genius, and regulatory reset. Moreover, the decision to appoint Newey as the new team principal for 2026 gives the Silverstone-based team an unparalleled degree of design synergy and technical control, which is the necessary bedrock for any team with aspirations of fighting for podiums.

The new 2026 technical regulations are thus set to be Aston Martin’s launchpad into consistent podium contention, transforming them from a so-and-so midfield side into a genuine front-row threat.

2. Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team

The last power unit change resulted in an unparalleled domination for Mercedes from 2014 to 2021. With the 2022–2025 technical regulations cycle now out of the way, an era Mercedes never really got on top of, next year’s regulations bring a familiar yet ominous cloud of Mercedes dominance.

The new engine overhaul, which mandates a near 50/50 split between combustion and heavily boosted electrical power while ditching the complex MGU-H, plays directly into the Silver Arrows’ historical strength. Moreover, whispers from Brackley suggest that Mercedes have unlocked critical efficiency gains and energy deployment strategies, which position them to exploit the massive jump in electrical output better than any rival.

That said, the 2026 regulations bring changes to not only the engine department but also the aero and chassis departments, areas where Mercedes repeatedly fell short during the 2022–2025 technical cycle.

Thus, with a fresh canvas and the championship order reset, it would be no shock at all to see Mercedes once again emerge from winter testing with an unassailable technical advantage. However, their failure to nail the aero and chassis side of things begs the question of whether they will be the real deal come March 2026 or not.

1. McLaren F1 Team

Before we discuss McLaren’s prospects for next year, it is worth mentioning that, when they were struggling to get out of Q1 during the early stages of the 2023 season, no one would have predicted them to secure three world championships in just two seasons (one Drivers’ and two Constructors’ titles). 

It’s important we add McLaren to this list simply because they are the team to beat currently. Moreover, if the modern era has taught us anything, it is that, once a team reach the pinnacle, they tend to stay there for a while. Ferrari won six consecutive Constructors’ championships, followed by Red Bull winning four, before Mercedes dominated the hybrid era with eight consecutive titles. Although Red Bull only won two before McLaren’s double in 2024 and 2025, they secured four Drivers’ titles as well. 

Besides, looking at the cars across the last two seasons, McLaren have been technically head and shoulders above the rest. They’ve consistently had the best aero and chassis packages, while also proving that they can win championships as a customer team. Apart from that, they have two of the brightest drivers on the grid in Oscar Piastri and newly crowned world champion, Lando Norris. 

Thus, if Mercedes can live up to the pre-season hype and deliver a competitive, state-of-the-art engine, then McLaren will be best placed to dominate the new era of F1 regulations.