Red Bull's Opmeer Boldly Predicts Mercedes 2026 Title After Testing

Red Bull-affiliated sim racer Jarno Opmeer has made a bold prediction for the 2026 Formula 1 season, declaring Mercedes the likely world champions despite his team's connection to Milton Keynes. Opmeer based his forecast on early testing data in Barcelona, specifically noting Kimi Antonelli's pace, even though Red Bull's Isack Hadjar ultimately topped the timesheets.

Why it matters:

With the 2026 regulations bringing a massive technical shake-up, early indicators from testing are being scrutinized more than ever. Opmeer's verdict, coming from within the Red Bull camp, signals that the Silver Arrows may have found an early advantage in the new formula, potentially setting the tone for the competitive landscape.

The details:

• Bold Prediction: Opmeer took to X after just two and a half hours of running, stating, "I have seen enough. Mercedes 2026 world champion."
• Mercedes Pace: The team showed strong initial pace with Kimi Antonelli leading the charts early on, followed by George Russell's competitive runs in the afternoon.
• Red Bull's Speed: Contradicting the prediction, Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar set the fastest time of the day (1:18.835), outpacing the Mercedes drivers in both sessions.
• Testing Context: Barcelona testing provides the first real glimpse of the new generation of cars, though fuel loads and run plans remain hidden.

Looking ahead:

Testing times rarely tell the full story, but the psychological battle has already begun. As teams gather more data over the coming days, the true pecking order will become clearer, but Opmeer's early confidence suggests Mercedes is a force to be reckoned with.