Making predictions over the pecking order based on testing is a tricky business, especially when the regulations have been overhauled. But, Max Verstappen was asked to give it a go.<\/p>\n
As the nods and winks continue to be sent the way of Mercedes and Ferrari, Verstappen teased that \u201cany good team with a Mercedes<\/a> engine\u201d is in for a pleasing F1 2026.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen hints Mercedes power could define F1 2026<\/p>\n Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n Bahrain testing is in the books. Melbourne is the next stop, as Albert Park plays host to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n It is widely accepted that last year\u2019s top four, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, is still the top four at the start of F1 2026, despite the re-writing of the chassis and engine regulations.<\/p>\n What order those teams are currently in, is far less clear.<\/p>\n McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called Mercedes and Ferrari the \u201cteams to beat\u201d right now. McLaren\u2019s reigning World Champion Lando Norris has spoken of a race pace deficit compared to its rivals.<\/p>\n Mercedes\u2019 George Russell, the F1 2026 title favourite with the bookmakers, recently softened his \u201cpretty scary\u201d talk about the Red Bull-Ford engine, claiming that the Red Bull deployment edge has \u201cclosed drastically\u201d compared to the Mercedes-powered teams.<\/p>\n Yet, he still suggested that Red Bull is leading the way in that department. Race starts, meanwhile, are an area of concern for Russell, while Ferrari appears to be thriving on that front.<\/p>\n In Melbourne, it will become clear who has and has not been showing their true hand. Come qualifying, we will get our first firm insight into where the F1 2026 teams shake out.<\/p>\n But, during an appearance on the \u2018Up to Speed\u2019 podcast, Verstappen was asked who he sees as his biggest competitor for F1 2026, given the limited amount of knowledge available.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, personally, I think any good team with a Mercedes engine will do well,\u201d he teased.<\/p>\n In addition to the Mercedes works team, the Mercedes engine also powers reigning double champions McLaren, plus Williams and Alpine.<\/p>\n Latest F1 2026 pecking order talk via PlanetF1.com<\/p>\n Stella declares Ferrari and Mercedes \u2018teams to beat\u2019 after Bahrain test<\/a><\/p>\n Mercedes send statement with Bahrain test approach<\/a><\/p>\n Red Bull is debuting its first ever engine in F1 2026. Developed in partnership with Ford, the PU made a triumphant start to life in Barcelona and Bahrain testing, running almost flawlessly.<\/p>\n Verstappen said that it has been \u201chonestly incredible to witness how these guys have started from zero and have given us a power unit that is running well.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that Red Bull \u201cdon\u2019t have any issues,\u201d but as for whether it is \u201cfast enough,\u201d Verstappen admitted that \u201cI have no idea\u201d at this stage.<\/p>\n Melbourne will provide the answers.<\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n You can also subscribe to the PlanetF1 YouTube channel<\/a> for exclusive features, hear from our paddock journalists with stories from the heart of Formula 1 and much more!<\/p>\n