The 2026 season is now upon us. Major changes: active aerodynamics, fully redesigned engine compared to 2014, and numerous technical innovations that we will gradually familiarize ourselves with, together with the teams and drivers, during testing and before the start of the season. The inaugural GP in Melbourne, Australia, is scheduled for the weekend of March 8.
Major regulatory changes that are about to unleash one of the most devastating hurricanes to ever hit Formula 1. Unlike summer 2025, where we had one of the markets with the most drivers ‘’flying’’ in the history of the category, with most teams rightly preferring to lock up lineups a year earlier so as to give some’ stability to the project in the crucial part of the transition, we can hypothesize that the same will not be the course of the season we are about to dive into.
The new regulation could have shocking effects on the 2027 driver market
Of course, it's just a hypothesis at the moment, but especially if Ferrari and Red Bull (as rumored) fail to compete in the top positions, it's reasonable to think that a driver like Charles Leclerc, considered one of the best in the category in the paddock, now in his eighth year with Maranello's team, might consider changing his mood and aiming for a team with a better chance of winning.
The same reasoning could be made for Verstappen. It would be quite disconcerting, even for enthusiasts, to see the four-time world champion at the wheel of a car unable to provide him with the chances of competing for titles, victories, podiums and pole positions.
In a scenario where Mercedes-powered cars truly have an advantage and Aston Martin has a good chance of success, if Verstappen and Leclerc declare themselves free, the 2027 market would erupt in a hurricane that will devastate the lineups of many F1 teams. Last year the Dutchman had been much courted by the Stuttgart house. Would Wolff be able to drop Russell or Antonelli from his lineup to make room for the four-time 2027 World Cup winner? Will Aston Martin follow up on the progress made at Leclerc last season?
On the other hand, assuming Ferrari is truly below expectations, will Hamilton really want to end his career this way or will he be tempted to leave Formula 1 soon? If the SF-26 project proves unsuccessful, what would be the fate of team principal Frédéric Vasseur and, more generally, the Maranello's team?
Let's mention Red Bull and Ferrari, because right now they are the teams from which the least reassuring rumors come in terms of overall performance. We are still in a very delicate phase of the championship: so far the cars have not carried out a single test session.
Predicting what might happen between now and the summer is truly challenging, but even if a top-tier team (including McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari) struggles this year, it's certain that the 2027 drivers' market will be one of the most exciting in recent memory. Now think about what would happen if even two teams were involved.
Cover and internal photo: Red Bull Racing
Read also in italian language: Ferrari-Red Bull: un tornado sta per devastare la Formula 1
