Mercedes driver George Russell has shared his view on which Formula 1 team is most likely to challenge the current top four (usually Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and one other) during the 2026 season.
Russell believes that one particular team has shown progress and could be a strong contender to break into that leading group.
He based his prediction on what he’s seen in pre-season testing, including improvements in car performance and consistency.
While he didn’t rule out surprises from other teams, Russell thinks this specific team’s early form suggests they’re best placed to join the fight at the front once the season gets underway.