P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Will F1 2026 be dominated by one team with a big engine advantage and a huge spread from first to last in the pecking order? Opinion is split
Opinions are divided on whether the new 2026 Formula 1 regulations might lead to similar single-team domination as in 2014 when Mercedes won 51 out of 59 races under new rules.
Mercedes’ dominating pace advantage in 2014 raised concerns over competitive field spread, increasing from 4.110% to 4.898% compared to the previous year.
The worry persists as the field spread in 2025 is currently at 1.600%, almost as tight as it was in the unique circumstances of 2009 when it was 1.405%.
Deputy chief engineer Jonathan Heal of Haas believes 2026 might turn into a “lottery” due to unknown engine variables and fears of potential dominance similar to Mercedes in 2014.
The 2026 prospects for customer teams, like Haas, will heavily depend on their engine suppliers’ performance, echoing the scenario faced by teams in 2014.
Ultimately, the impact of power unit performance on the 2026 season remains uncertain, with teams like Haas relying on their engine suppliers to define key aspects of their performance.
