Two crew mates went into the ultimate spherical of final season combating for the world championship – and it appears more and more like the identical will occur once more this 12 months.
With most groups making no modifications to their driver line-ups for the 2026 F1 season, the place are the closest fights to be discovered, and which drivers are exhibiting the opposite facet of the storage the way it’s executed? Right here’s the state of play after the primary 4 rounds:
McLaren: Norris vs Piastri
On the face of it the duo that took the world championship struggle to the ultimate spherical final 12 months appear as intently matched as ever to this point. Oscar Piastri seems to have a slight lead in qualifying however consider dash races and the rating is three-all.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Norris was sooner; Optimistic worth: Piastri was sooner
Mercedes: Russell vs Antonelli
Given the hole in expertise between the 2 Mercedes drivers, George Russell must be additional forward in what appears like being the title struggle of 2026. Granted, the Security Automotive landed poorly for him in China and Japan, and he had automobile hassle in qualifying within the former, however he’s let different points-scoring probabilities move him by, notably with a weak outing in Miami.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Russell was sooner; Optimistic worth: Antonelli was sooner
Crimson Bull: Verstappen vs Hadjar
Max Verstappen’s latest crew mate appeared like a better match for him over the primary rounds with F1’s new laws. Nevertheless after Crimson Bull launched a serious replace in Miami, Verstappen leapt forward, although Isack Hadjar’s disqualification from qualifying left him at a drawback for the race.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Verstappen was sooner; Optimistic worth: Hadjar was sooner
Ferrari: Leclerc vs Hamilton
Though Lewis Hamilton appears extra snug with the present technology of vehicles, Charles Leclerc nonetheless retains an edge over his crew mate. Leclerc’s wild finish to the final race and subsequent penalty lowered the factors hole between them.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Leclerc was sooner; Optimistic worth: Hamilton was sooner
Williams: Albon vs Sainz
By the second half of final 12 months, Williams newcomer Carlos Sainz Jnr was more and more exhibiting Alexander Albon the best way. He has sustained that momentum into 2026, although Williams at the moment are scrapping for the low finish of the factors locations.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Albon was sooner; Optimistic worth: Sainz Jnr was sooner
Racing Bulls: Lindblad vs Lawson
Arvid Lindblad hasn’t been in a position to repeat the excessive of his sensible begin to the season in Australia, partly owing to misfortune. That has allowed Liam Lawson to collect up sufficient factors to maneuver forward – for now a minimum of.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Lindblad was sooner; Optimistic worth: Lawson was sooner
Aston Martin: Stroll vs Alonso
Amidst the distress of Aston Martin’s point-less begin to the season, the standard pecking order prevails. Fernando Alonso has now out-qualified Lance Stroll for greater than 40 consecutive grands prix, stretching again to 2024.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Stroll was sooner; Optimistic worth: Alonso was sooner
Haas: Ocon vs Bearman
Oliver Bearman progressively asserted himself towards skilled crew mate Esteban Ocon final season and has begun 2026 very strongly. Just one driver has a better share of his crew’s factors.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Ocon was sooner; Optimistic worth: Bearman was sooner
Audi: Hulkenberg vs Bortoleto
Gabriel Bortoleto’s ninth place within the season-opener accounts for all of Audi’s factors to this point. Though that considerably exaggerates his benefit within the competitors with crew mate Nico Hulkenberg, it’s truthful to say Bortoleto has constructed on the promise he confirmed together with his wonderful qualifying efficiency final 12 months. Nevertheless Audi’s unreliability prevents any robust conclusions being drawn at this stage.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Hulkenberg was sooner; Optimistic worth: Bortoleto was sooner
Alpine: Gasly vs Colapinto
Franco Colapinto deserved a greater end in China, the place Esteban Ocon hit him, and picked up a rewarding factors haul in Miami, the place it was crew mate Pierre Gasly’s flip to be taken out. The factors share between the 2 subsequently feels usually reflective of their relative performances.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Gasly was sooner; Optimistic worth: Colapinto was sooner
Cadillac: Perez vs Bottas
No factors but at newcomers Cadillac, however Sergio Perez is the slim favorite to gather the primary of any which could come their means.
Unrepresentative comparisons omitted. Destructive worth: Perez was sooner; Optimistic worth: Bottas was sooner
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