F1 2026: ex-Ferrari engineer Jock Clear explains why one team won’t dominate like in 2014. Jock Clear on 2026 F1: “No repeat of 2014 dominance, engines have safeguards”.

The revolution is almost here

Formula 1 is preparing for the biggest regulatory revolution in the sport’s history, and there is huge anticipation to see the new cars in action. These machines will look very different from the ones that defined the technical cycle from 2022 to 2025. The ground effect era posed several challenges for teams, but the “arms race” did not involve power units, which remained effectively frozen from the end of 2022 through 2025.

In 2026, however, power units will be a decisive factor in determining the on-track balance. For this reason, the FIA has introduced the ADUO regulation, designed to allow engine manufacturers facing difficulties to catch up with those who start off with an advantage.

Clear confident a repeat of 2014 is unlikely

Ex-Ferrari engineer Jock Clear is excited about the new technical cycle and does not believe a single team will dominate like in 2014, when Mercedes—and all Mercedes-powered teams—leveraged their Brixworth-built power unit to dominate or exceed expectations. Clear told CasinoHawks that next year will be thrilling for several reasons. He expressed hope that the championship will be decided in the final race, recalling the exciting three-way battle between Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. “In 2014, it certainly didn’t go that way,” Jock Clear said. “From my perspective, what happened that season influenced fans’ expectations for these new rules, as if it were inevitable that we would see a replay of 2014. I don’t believe that will happen, because I think the systems designed to manage performance differences between power units are very good and should allow teams to respond.”

He added that conversations about the 2026 season have been ongoing for over a year, and this ongoing discussion is part of why F1 is healthy. “People are talking not just about Max Verstappen versus Oscar Piastri or Lando Norris over the last two races, but also about next year, and that’s how this sport works—with multiple areas of interest,” Jock Clear explained.