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Max Verstappen warns rivals: Mercedes engines may dominate F1 2026 like never before

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
February 24, 2026
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Max Verstappen warns rivals: Mercedes engines may dominate F1 2026 like never before

Max Verstappen Sends Shockwaves Through F1: Mercedes Engines Poised to Dominate 2026 Season!

As the adrenaline-fueled world of Formula 1 gears up for its 2026 season, reigning champion Max Verstappen has dropped a bombshell that could shake the very foundations of the sport. In a candid moment during the ‘Up to Speed’ podcast, Verstappen hinted that teams equipped with Mercedes engines are set to reign supreme, declaring, “any good team with a Mercedes engine will do well.” This statement has sent ripples of excitement and concern throughout the paddock as fans and pundits alike brace for the upcoming season.

With the dust barely settling from a dramatic overhaul of regulations, predictions about team performance are as slippery as a wet track. Yet, Verstappen's bold remarks signal that Mercedes, along with its powerhouse partners McLaren, Williams, and Alpine, may be gearing up for a major resurgence. The seasoned Dutch driver’s assertion comes as no surprise; he is well aware of the whispers echoing in the pit lane that Mercedes and Ferrari are once again the “teams to beat.”

As the teams prepare for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the pressure is mounting. The testing phase in Bahrain has set the stage, but the real showdown lies just around the corner. While the consensus remains that last year's elite—McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari—are still at the forefront, the precise hierarchy is shrouded in mystery.

McLaren’s team principal Andrea Stella has publicly acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Mercedes and Ferrari, confirming they remain the benchmarks to aim for. Meanwhile, reigning World Champion Lando Norris has candidly admitted that McLaren faces a race pace deficit against its rivals, a revelation that raises questions about their competitive edge.

In a twist that has left fans on the edge of their seats, Mercedes driver George Russell—tipped by bookmakers as the 2026 title favorite—recently tempered his earlier “pretty scary” remarks regarding the new Red Bull-Ford engine. He suggested that the deployment advantage that Red Bull enjoyed has “closed drastically,” yet he still pointed to them as leaders in that domain. With race starts emerging as a critical area of concern for Russell, Ferrari seems to have found its stride, thriving in this crucial aspect.

As the teams head to Melbourne, the anticipation is palpable. The qualifying rounds will finally reveal which teams have been holding back their true capabilities during testing. Only then will we know how the grid will stack up for the 2026 season.

The stakes are higher than ever, especially for Red Bull, which is unveiling its first-ever engine developed in collaboration with Ford. After a promising debut in Barcelona and Bahrain, Verstappen praised the performance of this new power unit, stating it has been “honestly incredible to witness how these guys have started from zero and have given us a power unit that is running well.” However, he remains cautiously optimistic, admitting, “I have no idea” if it’s fast enough to challenge for the title.

As the countdown to the Australian Grand Prix continues, the tension builds. Will Mercedes and its engine partners reclaim their throne, or will new challengers emerge from the shadows? One thing is certain: the 2026 F1 season promises to be a thrilling spectacle, packed with drama, rivalry, and heart-stopping action. Stay tuned as we bring you every twist and turn from the world of Formula 1!

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2019-red-bull-crandon-world-cup2025-2026-season2025-mclaren-f1-championshipgeorge-russell-2getspeed-mercedesLando Norrismax-verstappen-en
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