The
2026 F1 season
promises a seismic shift, and
Haas
driver
Esteban Ocon
has already dropped a bombshell prediction:
Mercedes
is the team to beat. After intense, behind-closed-doors testing in
Barcelona
, the early pecking order is starting to take shape, with the Silver Arrows emerging as a dominant force and newcomers like
Audi
and
Cadillac
facing a steep learning curve.
Key Takeaways from Barcelona's Secret Shakedown:
Mercedes' Unyielding Prowess for 2026
The Mercedes camp appears to be hitting all the right notes for the radical 2026 F1 regulations. Reports from the private Barcelona shakedown paint a picture of impressive efficiency, with the Silver Arrows reportedly logging an incredible 500 laps over just three days. This staggering mileage, combined with decent unofficial lap times, puts them squarely at the top of Ocon's early favorites list.
"I think it’s a bit early to talk about the pecking order, but we’ve seen that Mercedes was very fast over the whole test," Ocon stated, underlining the German giant's strong start.
Midfield Musings and the Contenders
Beyond Mercedes, the usual suspects are forming a competitive pack. Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren are all showing promising signs, indicating that the fight at the front will be as fierce as ever. Ocon believes these titans are "in a very good position," setting the stage for thrilling battles.
Further down, the Haas driver expects a tight midfield scrap. Teams like VCARB, Alpine, and his own Haas squad are anticipated to be locked in close contention. This suggests that every tenth of a second will count, making for unpredictable races throughout the 2026 F1 season.
The Rookie Roadblocks: Audi and Cadillac's Initial Stumbles
The outlook is less rosy for Audi and Cadillac, who are bracing for a challenging introduction to the 2026 F1 landscape. Audi, stepping in as a new power unit manufacturer (formerly Sauber), encountered significant technical hurdles in Barcelona, including a notable hydraulic leak. These early reliability issues could prove costly as they strive to integrate their new engine package.
"For now, that’s what Barcelona told us; it will be tighter in the group behind... and a little step behind, for now, Audi and Cadillac," Ocon observed. Cadillac, a brand-new entity, is also navigating the complexities of its debut season with a Ferrari-powered challenger, expectedly starting from the back of the grid.
Haas Defies Expectations with Ironclad Reliability
Perhaps the biggest surprise for Esteban Ocon was the robust reliability of his own Haas team. Despite an incredibly tight schedule – shaking down their new VF-26 at Fiorano just two days before heading to Barcelona – Haas racked up more laps than almost any other team, trailing only Mercedes and Ferrari.
"I was not expecting that, that it went so smoothly," Ocon admitted, praising the team's "crazy effort" to be ready at Barcelona by 9 am. While reliability is "very good," the focus now shifts to finding outright pace. "It's good – but it needs to be fast," he concluded, setting the agenda for Haas's pre-season development.
The 2026 F1 season remains a distant prospect, but Barcelona's private test has already provided intriguing hints. As teams head to Bahrain for further evaluations, the stakes will undoubtedly rise.
