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How the pecking order has changed since the season opener

F1.com takes a look at the data to determine which teams have moved forwards – and which have fallen behind – over the course of the 2026 season so far.

Published: Friday, 16 October 2026 at 4:17 PM
How the pecking order has changed since the season opener
Key Things to Know
  • F1 data shows rivals have significantly reduced Mercedes' early-season advantage across qualifying and race pace.
  • Mercedes maintains a 134-point lead over Ferrari, but Red Bull has matched the leaders in recent rounds.
  • Alpine has led overall development across 2026, gaining 1.03 seconds on the front-running pace.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Data analysis from the 2026 Formula 1 season reveals a tightening competitive order after Mercedes began the year in dominant fashion. While Kimi Antonelli maintains a strong championship lead, rivals Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren have steadily closed the gap. Red Bull has emerged as a major front-runner in recent events, with Max Verstappen securing key poles and victories.

Further down the grid, Alpine has shown the largest overall development jump, slashing its deficit to the front by over a second. Audi and Racing Bulls remain locked in a tight midfield fight, while Haas stands as the only team to have lost pace relative to the leaders since the opener.

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