The 2026 Formula 1 season is in full swing, and the internal battles between team-mates are becoming clearer. Each driver gets up to 30 chances to compare themselves to their team-mate in full qualifying trim—24 in grand prix qualifying and six more in sprint qualifying. Early data gives a fascinating glimpse into who has the edge over one lap.
At McLaren, Lando Norris is dominating Oscar Piastri with an 11-4 head-to-head record, averaging 0.075s faster. But at Ferrari, the battle is razor-thin: Lewis Hamilton leads Charles Leclerc 8-7 with a tiny average gap of just 0.007s. That shows how evenly matched the Ferrari duo is.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen at Red Bull remains the benchmark, leading rookie Isack Hadjar 11-3 with an average advantage of 0.232s. Kimi Antonelli, however, is surprising many by leading George Russell 9-6 at Mercedes, averaging 0.125s quicker. This data signals that the new generation is starting to pressure the veterans.
Elsewhere, the battles are just as intense. Carlos Sainz dominates Alex Albon at Williams with a 12-2 score, while at Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso leads Lance Stroll 12-3. Esteban Ocon is trailing Ollie Bearman at Haas with a 5-11 record. This early data can still shift as the season progresses, given variables like track conditions and team strategies.
Interestingly, Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto at Sauber are nearly inseparable, with Bortoleto leading 8-7 head-to-head and an average gap of just 0.030s. Sergio Perez is also showing solid form at Racing Bulls, leading Valtteri Bottas 9-6. These internal rivalries will remain a key storyline all season, as they can impact team dynamics and driver futures.
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