McLaren Predicts Early 2026 Order as Ferrari Faces Wing Decision
Zak Brown signals Ferrari and Mercedes as early 2026 pace-setters, with McLaren close behind. Ferrari must decide on its radical rotating rear wing, while Mercedes debuted a new 'saddle' wing concept. Questions linger over Red Bull's true engine performance as the new 'super clipping' energy phenomenon sets the stage for a strategic season.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown has identified Ferrari and Mercedes as the early frontrunners for the 2026 Formula 1 season, while Ferrari weighs the future of its radical rotating rear wing after a brief test appearance. The pre-season narrative is being shaped by technical innovations and strategic gamesmanship as teams finalize their packages for the opening round.
Why it matters:
The initial pecking order and technical choices made now set the tone for the early phase of a new regulatory era. Ferrari's willingness to test extreme concepts and Mercedes' relentless development highlight the intense competition to close the gap to Red Bull, while power unit performance and energy management emerge as critical, game-changing factors for 2026.
The details:
- McLaren's Assessment: Zak Brown placed Mercedes and Ferrari at the top of his early season hierarchy, with Red Bull and his own McLaren team completing the top four. He suggested the "red and silver guys are looking very strong" but believes McLaren is not far behind.
- Ferrari's Wing Dilemma: The Scuderia briefly ran a radical rotating rear wing assembly during Bahrain testing, capturing paddock attention before reverting to a conventional design. Team Principal Fred Vasseur stated the team will decide whether to use the innovative concept at the Australian Grand Prix.
- Mercedes' Late Innovation: On the final day of testing, Mercedes unveiled a new rear wing featuring a distinct 'saddle' concept. This design is part of the team's push to find more performance and aerodynamic efficiency ahead of the first race.
- Power Unit Gamesmanship: Williams Team Principal James Vowles questioned if Red Bull Powertrains, praised for its performance, deliberately "turned down" its engine during testing to hide its true potential. This follows the unit demonstrating strong reliability throughout the Bahrain session.
- New 2026 Terminology: The major power unit changes have introduced the term "super clipping" to the F1 lexicon. It describes the significant loss of speed drivers experience when the car's battery energy is depleted, a phenomenon expected to heavily influence race strategy and overtaking this season.
The big picture:
Pre-season testing has revealed a multi-faceted battle brewing. While outright lap times are deceptive, the focus has shifted to understanding the new cars' core characteristics and strategic boundaries. Ferrari and Mercedes appear confident in their base platforms, but Red Bull's true form remains the season's biggest question mark. Meanwhile, the technical arms race is already in full swing, with teams pushing innovative concepts to find any advantage in the tightly contested midfield and at the front.