How the Midfield Teams Are Preparing for the 2026 Season
It takes a long time for a team to move up the ranks in Formula 1, and one season is rarely enough to transition from the midfield to a championship fight. As such, the top four teams next season are likely to be the same ones seen for several years: Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren. When news of the 2026 regulation changes emerged, much of the grid began preparing immediately and effectively shifted focus away from 2025. Now, rumors are circulating through the paddock about teams whose early preparations appear promising for the new era. While the top four continue their familiar battle for the Constructors’ Championship, the midfield is quietly working to close the gap to the front.
There have been no changes to the driver lineups among midfield teams, with the exception of Racing Bulls’ new rookie, Arvid Lindblad. For the 2025 rookies, retaining their seats was almost guaranteed, and for good reason. Gabriel Bortoleto for Sauber, Ollie Bearman for Haas, and Isack Hadjar all delivered some of the strongest results their teams had produced in years. Hadjar’s performances were impressive enough to earn him a promotion to Red Bull’s main team, where he will compete for a championship. While these drivers showed genuine promise, the same could not be said for Franco Colapinto, during his first full season with Alpine. In 2025, he was the only driver who failed to score a single point and was publicly criticized for it by Alpine executive Flavio Briatore. Briatore later stated that he was satisfied with Colapinto, though the reality remains that the Argentine driver finished last in the standings.
While Alpine’s driver lineup remains unchanged, the team is finally moving away from the Renault power unit. Beginning in 2026, Alpine will use Mercedes engines, a shift that could provide a competitive boost if early rumors about Mercedes producing the strongest power unit under the new regulations prove accurate. Even so, Alpine will face competition from another team using the same engine supplier: Williams. The 2025 season marked Williams’ strongest performance in more than a decade, and to reinforce their resurgence, the team has updated its official name. Formerly known as Atlassian Williams Racing, the team will now compete as Atlassian Williams F1 Team, reflecting the growing influence of its title sponsor. The change also comes with an updated logo that pays tribute to the team’s past success. If the Mercedes power unit performs as expected, it could represent the final step in Williams’ return to the title conversation.
Sauber is also undergoing a name change, though on a much more significant scale than their rival. Previously competing as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, the team will now officially become Audi’s Formula 1 entry. This transition brings experienced management and increased financial backing to support Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg, both of whom delivered strong seasons given the team’s position. Aston Martin is also entering a new phase, with renowned engineer Adrian Newey set to take over as team principal. Rumors suggest the team’s 2026 chassis is already showing promise, and with former world champion Fernando Alonso behind the wheel, expectations remain high for the UK-based outfit.
