One reason to support each of the 22 competitors on the 2026 F1 roster

My team surpasses yours! Your preferred driver is out of the running and will never clinch the championship!

Sports discussions can often become hostile. It seems you can no longer simply appreciate a race; you must choose a side, declare your loyalty, and defend it fiercely.

Formula 1 is filled with vibrant teams and drivers deserving of your support in 2026, so here’s a reason to cheer for each of them this season.

McLaren

Zak Brown has reshaped McLaren in his vision: daring, ambitious, and passionate about competitive, fair racing. The current constructors’ champion has a distinct identity, and in 2025, it demonstrated its commitment to that identity. Whether you admire or dislike the Papaya approach, McLaren stood firm, even when it risked everything. In a fiercely competitive environment like F1, that determination feels refreshingly audacious.

Lando Norris: He is the newest world champion in Formula 1, but is he recognized as such? Long regarded as one of the sport’s most beloved personalities, even after winning the title, some still question whether he possesses the same presence as his predecessors. Join in if you appreciate watching a driver silence critics — he has been doing so throughout his career.

Oscar Piastri: Piastri’s 2025 season deteriorated dramatically. For the first half of the year, he appeared to be an unstoppable force, but everything unraveled after he yielded to Norris at Monza. Whether fair or not, that shift raised lingering questions about what could have been. Supporting Piastri now feels like backing a driver eager to resolve unfinished business.

Red Bull

Once regarded as merely “an energy drinks company,” Red Bull has evolved into one of Formula 1’s most formidable teams. Now, it is advancing further by not only constructing the car but also developing its own engine. This represents the boldest gamble on the grid. Masterstroke or overreach? Time will tell, but early indicators are promising. If they continue winning like this, they may stake a claim to being F1’s greatest team ever.

Max Verstappen: Verstappen is performing wonders right before our eyes. His 2025 season was so remarkable that it reinforced the belief he can triumph in any vehicle with four wheels and an engine. When his car isn’t flawless, he usually comes as close to perfection as possible, making it hard to envision a Formula 1 season without him being a significant factor. If you enjoy witnessing greatness unfold in real time, Verstappen is the driver to watch.

Isack Hadjar: The French driver Hadjar is the latest to step into the challenging role of Verstappen’s teammate. If anyone can break the trend, it’s Hadjar: he was exhilarating to watch as a rookie and carries the confidence of someone who genuinely believes he can compete with F1’s top driver.

Ferrari

No one actively chooses Ferrari; it simply draws you in. Even when it lets you down, you find yourself returning time and again. Will this be the year the Scuderia alters the narrative?

The most storied team in Formula 1 is burdened by a title drought that dates back to 2008, but the signs are encouraging once more. The car appears fast, the excitement is building, but with Ferrari, the concern is never about speed; it’s whether it can finally avoid self-sabotage. When that drought eventually concludes, the release will be monumental — you’ll want to say you were part of it.

Charles Leclerc: If Ferrari is an opera, Leclerc is its enduring protagonist. Known as “Il Predestinato” (“The Predestined One”), he was recruited by Ferrari as a teenager and has endured numerous disappointments since 2019, often through no fault of his own. His speed has never been questioned, and his temperament has matured. All that has been lacking is the car. If he is the one to finally end Ferrari’s drought, it will be one of the most remarkable title victories in the sport’s history.

Lewis Hamilton: Hamilton’s anticipated move to Ferrari fell short in 2025, but the new regulations provide a genuine opportunity for a reset and revival for the sport’s most accomplished driver. Depending on your perspective, he was either denied or robbed of an eighth title in 2021. To finally secure that record-breaking crown while also bringing a trophy back to Maranello after all this time would solidify his status as the undisputed greatest of all time.

Mercedes

For nearly a decade, Mercedes established the benchmark in Formula 1. Toto Wolff created a team focused on victory, but the ground-effect cars of 2022-2025 abruptly dethroned it. The new regulations present a golden opportunity to demonstrate that greatness wasn’t confined to a single era but is ingrained in the team’s culture.

George Russell: Russell’s F1 journey has been marked by unfortunate timing. He joined Mercedes just as its eight-year title reign came to an end, meaning the machinery never lived up to his expectations. Russell is nearly the complete driver — possessing talent, composure, race craft, and an edge. Now, at last, the car seems capable. As a preseason favorite, this is his chance to finally reap the rewards and prove that good things do indeed come to those who wait.

Kimi Antonelli: Control can be taught, but raw speed cannot. Antonelli possesses the latter in abundance. The Italian teenager races with the intensity of a young Verstappen, both thrilling and frustrating in equal measure. Now equipped with better machinery, if he refines his rough edges and improves his consistency, Formula 1 may be witnessing the rise of its next generational talent.

Williams

A delayed preseason start leaves Williams entering 2026 with challenges ahead, but dismissing this remarkable team has rarely ended well. Sir Frank Williams’ team built its legacy by consistently overcoming obstacles and exceeding expectations. This new era begins on the back foot, but resilience is woven into the very essence of the organization — this team will not back down without a fight.

Carlos Sainz: Watching Sainz race in the midfield feels out of place. Wherever he has competed, he has delivered, yet he has often found himself deemed expendable through no fault of his own. Two podium finishes for Williams last year were another testament to his talent. Now, the challenge is different: not just scoring points, but helping a proud team ascend back toward the heights he aimed to reach.

Alex Albon: One must feel sympathy for Albon. His 2025 season outperformed Sainz’s in the points standings, but the latter’s podiums overshadowed Williams’ campaign. That is classic Albon, isn’t it? Overlooked, even when he is at his best. The incredibly likable Albon’s resilience, honesty, and hard work have rebuilt his reputation through perseverance. If you appreciate drivers who let their performances speak for themselves, he is an easy choice to support.

Racing Bulls

While the senior Red Bull team has matured into a refined championship contender, the junior team Racing Bulls feels more aligned with the brand’s original ethos: bold, playful, and unafraid to stand out. The style is sharp, the tone is lighter, yet the ambition remains serious. It aims to be a competitive force while also embracing its uniqueness. In a sport that can be overly serious, that energy is hard not to appreciate.

Liam Lawson: Lawson may be the most misunderstood driver on the grid. Relaxed and dry-witted, he was quickly labeled arrogant in some circles — a perception heightened when he replaced fan favorites Daniel Ricciardo and then Sergio Pérez. Dropped by Red Bull just two races into last season, his F1 future appeared bleak. The fact that he is still here is a testament to his stubborn resilience — and a reminder that first impressions can be misleading.

Arvid Lindblad: Red Bull does not promote youth cautiously — the team thrusts it into challenging situations. Lindblad is the latest talent fast-tracked to the junior team, carrying both expectations and intrigue. There is genuine mystery surrounding him after just one year in Formula 2, and that adds to the appeal. Red Bull’s pipeline beyond the junior team may have its flaws, but it rarely promotes underperforming drivers into Formula 1. If you enjoy identifying the next big star before they become widely recognized, this is your opportunity.

Aston Martin

Billionaire owner Lawrence Stroll did not acquire Aston Martin to be a mere participant. He established it to win — with Fernando Alonso, a new factory, high-profile hires, and now, Adrian Newey at the helm. The early indicators suggest that 2026 (and perhaps beyond) could be tumultuous, but that is what makes this project so captivating. If Aston can navigate its way out of this predicament, the original promise of this superteam remains intact — the components are all present for something extraordinary.

Fernando Alonso: If William Shakespeare were to write about Formula 1, Alonso would be his tragic hero. The sport’s ultimate “what if” narrative, the Spanish driver should have at least five titles and over 60 race wins to his credit. His frustrating, agonizing wait for competitive machinery appears set to continue. Maintain your faith, if possible. Should everything align for Alonso, the reward would be monumental.

Lance Stroll: Supporting Stroll remains a somewhat rebellious act. The “billionaire’s son” narrative is easy to craft, but he has largely disregarded that noise. There have always been glimpses of exceptional pace, even if consistency has been elusive. Assessing Stroll is challenging — few drivers have been tasked with measuring themselves against Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in succession. If you enjoy backing the most debated figure on the grid, this is your choice.

Haas

The smallest team on the grid by headcount, Haas consistently exceeds expectations. Perpetually outmatched in resources, it relies on opportunism and talent, never pretending to be something it is not. There is something refreshingly straightforward about that. In a paddock filled with giants, supporting the scrappy underdog still holds a certain appeal.

Oliver Bearman: Essex native Bearman appears to be on a rapid ascent toward the top of Formula 1. One of the standout rookies of 2025, he already carries himself with a maturity beyond his years and the quiet confidence of someone destined for larger stages — perhaps one day Ferrari, which has supported him from the beginning. His youthful energy aligns with Haas’ spirit, and if the midfield car performs well, 2026 could mark another significant step on a steep upward trajectory.

Esteban Ocon: Once regarded as a future champion, Ocon’s journey in Formula 1 has rarely been straightforward. A race winner in 2021, he has not received the opportunities needed to reach the heights anticipated for him. He faced a challenging first season at Haas, but his talent has always been evident. The objective for year two is clear: regain his form and remind everyone why he was once seen as destined for the very top.

Audi

Automotive giant Audi waited 76 years to enter Formula 1. It arrives with far greater ambition than the Sauber team it acquired, diving straight into a regulatory overhaul by developing its own engine — a bold move for a newcomer. Manufacturers of this scale rarely enter to linger in the midfield. If Audi’s gamble succeeds, it will become a formidable contender. Get in on the ground floor while you can.

Nico Hülkenberg: After 239 attempts, Hülkenberg finally achieved his elusive first podium last year with a fairytale drive at Silverstone. Long regarded as one of the grid’s most skilled operators, he has too often been defined by what he has not accomplished rather than what he is capable of. Now, with Audi’s ambitious project taking shape, he may finally have a platform that matches his talent. Few drivers have earned a late-career resurgence more.

Gabriel Bortoleto: Few drivers can claim the endorsements of both Verstappen and Alonso as a future star. Bortoleto can. Beyond the endorsements lies something larger: Brazil has been waiting for a new standard bearer in Formula 1. It feels unjust when that proud racing nation lacks an F1 superstar — Bortoleto appears poised to become that individual.

Alpine

Alpine has finally initiated a reset. Renault’s decision to abandon its works engine and switch to Mercedes power signifies an acknowledgment that the previous formula was not effective. It is a humbling move, but potentially a liberating one. We have yet to see Alpine operate close to its true potential. If this reset brings clarity and direction, a team long characterized by promise might finally begin to deliver.

Pierre Gasly: Quietly one of 2025’s standout performers despite driving the grid’s least competitive car, Gasly remains consistently reliable. He set the standard for how Formula 1 drivers can rebound from the dreaded Red Bull dismissal and has established himself as one of the grid’s top drivers outside of the Big Four. If you value consistent excellence away from the spotlight, Gasly is that driver.

Franco Colapinto: Colapinto’s 2025 was tumultuous, and Netflix’s latest season of “Drive to Survive” provided a glimpse into the intense scrutiny surrounding him at Alpine. It is reasonable to question whether we ever witnessed his true potential amid the noise and pressure from executive advisor Flavio Briatore. Now, with what appears to be a more competitive car beneath him, he has the chance to rediscover the spark that made him an overnight sensation. Redemption stories tend to resonate, and this one feels incomplete.

Cadillac

America’s new F1 team made a grand entrance, announcing itself to the world with a Super Bowl advertisement. Cadillac joins with substantial backing and a point to prove after a lengthy struggle to secure its position on the grid. There is confidence here, and ambition to match. Success will not come instantly, but this is not merely a marketing venture. General Motors entered with Cadillac to win.

Sergio Pérez: Unceremoniously dropped by Red Bull at the end of 2024, Pérez now has an opportunity for late-career reinvention with Cadillac. He may not be contending for wins or podiums in 2026, but that is not the goal. This is about rediscovering the qualities that made him such a valuable asset: race craft, tire management, and composure under pressure. If he helps stabilize a new project and build it into something significant, it could redefine how his entire career is perceived.

Valtteri Bottas: Bottas embodies Finnish traits — cool, understated, and rarely flustered. For years, he was the ideal teammate in Mercedes’ title-winning machine, absorbing pressure alongside Hamilton. Since stepping away, he has seemed freer, more authentic. Like Pérez, he returns after a year on the sidelines. Do not be misled by the mullet and mustache — Bottas remains one of F1’s top talents.

Source: espn.com