Formula 1 2026 race starts explained: which teams and drivers are gaining early advantage. Formula 1 2026 race starts have become a key performance factor.

Formula 1 2026: race starts change everything

The opening races of the season have clearly shown that race starts in Formula 1 2026 have become a decisive factor rather than a simple detail. The introduction of new power units and revised energy management systems has made the initial phase of races more unpredictable and strategically complex, with visible differences emerging between teams and drivers.

It is no longer enough to have a competitive car: what truly matters is how effectively the system is managed in the opening metres. Those who have understood the new technical balance have already gained a significant advantage, while others risk spending the entire season playing catch-up.

New 2026 starts: the real shift in Formula 1

With the new 2026 race start procedures, Formula 1 has fundamentally transformed one of the most critical moments of the race weekend. The latest generation of power units, which rely more heavily on hybrid systems while no longer using the MGU-H, deliver less predictable power at launch, making the first phase of acceleration even more challenging.

Success at the start is no longer just about reaction time when the lights go out. Instead, precision, energy deployment, and the ability to adapt to a less stable car behaviour now define performance. After the first races, early data is beginning to paint a clear picture: some teams have already unlocked the optimal approach, while others are losing valuable positions before even reaching Turn 1.

Ferrari power units leading early gains

Based on early-season data, Ferrari-powered cars have made the biggest impact at race starts, gaining a combined total of 25 positions across customer teams. Aston Martin follows with 14 positions gained, although this figure is partially influenced by frequent starts from the back of the grid.

Mercedes remains in positive territory with eight positions gained, largely thanks to the performance of its customer teams. By contrast, Red Bull and Audi are struggling, recording -21 and -26 positions respectively on opening laps, highlighting a difficult adaptation to the new race start dynamics.

Williams and Ferrari stand out among teams

At team level, Williams has emerged as the strongest performer at the start, gaining 18 positions, followed closely by Ferrari with 17. However, the context differs significantly: Williams often starts further back, offering greater opportunities to move forward, whereas Ferrari regularly begins near the front, making its gains even more noteworthy.

Further down the order, Haas and Cadillac have each gained only four positions, demonstrating how the same power unit can produce very different outcomes depending on execution and setup.

Within the Mercedes ecosystem, a clear gap has appeared between the factory team and its customer outfits. McLaren and Alpine have shown stronger starts, while the works Mercedes team has struggled to match their performance. A similar pattern can be observed at Red Bull, where Racing Bulls has been more consistent than the main team in the opening phase.

Driver performance: who excels and who struggles

Among drivers, Carlos Sainz has emerged as the benchmark for race starts, followed by Fernando Alonso, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton, all demonstrating strong execution in the crucial opening metres.

On the other hand, both Mercedes drivers have encountered difficulties, with George Russell and especially Kimi Antonelli losing ground early in races. Nico Hulkenberg has also recorded one of the weakest start performances so far.

Meanwhile, Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have remained below average in this phase, indicating that even top drivers are still adapting to the new technical demands of the 2026 regulations.

Why race starts are now decisive

The first races of the 2026 season already provide a clear conclusion: race starts have become a crucial technical component where car performance alone is no longer enough. Energy management and execution in the first metres are creating tangible differences between teams and drivers.

Those who have interpreted the new system more effectively have already built an advantage, while for others, the season risks becoming increasingly complicated from the very beginning.