Verstappen, Hamilton tipped for 2026 title despite recent form
A fan poll names Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton as the top picks for the 2026 F1 title, a surprising result given their lack of recent momentum and testing pace compared to rivals like Charles Leclerc and defending champion Lando Norris.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are the overwhelming fan favorites to win the 2026 Formula 1 drivers' championship, according to a RacingNews365 poll, a result that starkly contrasts with their recent on-track momentum and pre-season testing form. The duo comfortably outpaced current front-runners like Charles Leclerc and defending champion Lando Norris in the survey, highlighting a fascinating disconnect between public perception and current performance ahead of a major regulatory reset.
Why it matters:
The poll results underscore the enduring legacy and star power of F1's most iconic modern rivalry, even when recent data doesn't favor them. As the sport heads into its biggest rules overhaul in a generation, the vote suggests fans believe championship pedigree and experience will trump current form, setting up a compelling narrative to be tested when the season begins.
The details:
- Poll Results: Verstappen (Red Bull) led with 29% of the vote, followed closely by Hamilton (Ferrari) at 23.8%. The chasing pack, including those with superior recent results, trailed significantly.
- The Verstappen Paradox: Despite his four world titles between 2021-2024, Verstappen had a subdued pre-season test in Bahrain, finishing fifth and over a second off the pace set by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
- Hamilton's Resurgence: Hamilton's high ranking is notable after a difficult 2025 debut with Ferrari, where he was soundly outscored by teammate Leclerc. Reports indicate he is far more comfortable with the SF-26, a car he helped develop over the winter.
- Snub of Current Form: The poll represents a clear rejection of recent performance.
- Charles Leclerc, who dominated testing and is an analysts' favorite, garnered only 21.5% support.
- George Russell, a bookmakers' favorite after Mercedes' strong testing, secured a mere 12.1%.
- Most strikingly, defending champion Lando Norris, who beat Verstappen for the 2025 title by two points, scraped just 5.6% of the vote—less than his teammate Oscar Piastri.
What's next:
The 2026 season will immediately put these fan predictions to the test. The real-world performance of the new cars under radically different regulations will determine whether legacy prevails or if a new competitive order, hinted at by testing times and recent championships, truly takes hold. The opening race will reveal if Verstappen and Hamilton can instantly rediscover their title-winning form or if the likes of Leclerc, Russell, and Norris will justify the analysts' forecasts over the fans' sentiments.