The 2026 Formula 1 season hasn’t even started yet, but the paddock is already buzzing with rumors. Among these are discussions about the most solid teams, the most powerful power units, the drivers who seem most comfortable with their cars, and more. These are the stories that shape test days and will either be confirmed or denied once the first race of the season begins.
In just a few minutes, the final session of Bahrain testing will start – a last chance for teams to try different setups, configurations, and gather vital data for the season ahead. Meanwhile, a new rumor emerges involving Max Verstappen.
Max’s verdict: Mercedes threat and the “silent” Ferrari
This rumor comes indirectly through David Coulthard. The former F1 driver, speaking on talkSPORT, revealed a brief conversation with Verstappen about the upcoming season.
Among the rumors, the most popular is that Mercedes looks strong, thanks in part to a high-performing power unit that has been widely debated. This has also raised speculation around George Russell.
When asked if Russell could be a title contender, David Coulthard said: “Well, look, I spoke to Max Verstappen a couple of days ago and when I asked him: ‘Who are your rivals?’ he answered: ‘Anyone with a Mercedes engine.’”
He added: “There are four teams with Mercedes power units. Apart from the team led by Toto Wolff, there’s McLaren, Alpine, and Williams, though they seem a bit behind at the moment. So yes, if I had to bet now, George Russell as world champion wouldn’t be a bad guess, but you never count Max out.”
A simple comment, yet loaded with meaning, especially since Max has proven time and again he can make the difference. David Coulthard also mentioned a team that Verstappen has so far overlooked: “I read that Ferrari did pretty well in long runs, so maybe a reinvigorated Lewis Hamilton, happy in his environment, could rediscover his best form and chase an eighth world title.”
Mind games or technical reality? Why Verstappen overlooks Maranello
It’s important to note: Verstappen hasn’t singled out Mercedes as a sole rival, but all teams running the Brackley-developed power unit. By doing so, he effectively overlooks Maranello, not considering Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc.
So why is that? Several interpretations are possible, but one seems most accurate. The first, more neutral explanation, is that Verstappen aims to downplay rumors about Red Bull’s competitiveness. For the first time, Red Bull developed its engine in-house, in collaboration with Ford, presenting a major challenge. And for a first attempt, the results so far are far from disappointing.
The second interpretation is that Verstappen genuinely believes in Mercedes’ technical superiority, seeing any Mercedes-powered team as a potential rival, with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli leading the pack. The most likely explanation, however, is that the German team has exploited FIA regulation grey areas effectively, producing a slightly more powerful engine than the competition – an issue not yet fully resolved.
Setting aside all the chatter, the idea of a championship with multiple drivers contending for the title is exciting. If Mercedes proves competitive, moving away from previous underperforming seasons, it will be fascinating to see how George Russell handles the challenge. Not that he isn’t capable, but it would show how he matures the talent and consistency he displayed in 2025, pushing both himself and the car to stay ahead.
The wild card: can human talent outmatch the rules?
If there’s one lesson from the 2025 season, it’s that Verstappen’s talent should never be underestimated. Regardless of test results – and given the season includes 24 races plus six sprints, anything can happen – Max Verstappen has repeatedly shown he can make a difference even when the car isn’t perfect.
He can extract unexpressed potential from the car that even engineers sometimes can’t explain. He always has a trick up his sleeve: a last-lap braking maneuver, a decisive overtake, a duel won when all odds are against him.
That’s why a season-long battle between Red Bull, McLaren, Mercedes, and perhaps even Ferrari – the four top teams of 2025 – could be a multi-headed title fight. And who knows, it might once again be decided at the very last race.
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