P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes has endured a difficult run of form across the last handful of years – can 2026 finally be the year it gets back on top?
McLaren’s hopes of defending their F1 title have taken a hit, as fans fear the team may lag behind the top four squads this season. Despite a successful 2025 campaign, a major regulation change has cast doubt on McLaren’s dominance. Mercedes has emerged as the favorite for the upcoming season, showing strong performance in testing despite some mechanical issues. McLaren’s W17 challenger also demonstrated promising pace, especially regarding its power unit. In a recent fan poll, Mercedes led with 35% of the vote, while McLaren trailed with just 10%. Ferrari closely followed Mercedes in the poll, aiming to end their championship drought. As the new F1 season nears, the anticipation grows to see which team will come out on top. Check out the full poll results below to learn more!
