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Which team would you join in 2026 if you could pick any team?


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Poll: Which team would you join? (73 member(s) have cast votes)

Which team would you join?

  1. Aston Martin (9 votes [12.33%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 12.33%

  2. Ferrari (12 votes [16.44%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 16.44%

  3. McLaren (14 votes [19.18%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 19.18%

  4. Mercedes (36 votes [49.32%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 49.32%

  5. Red Bull (0 votes [0.00%])

    Percentage of vote: 0.00%

  6. Other - explain in thread (2 votes [2.74%] - View)

    Percentage of vote: 2.74%

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#1 TheFish

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 07:34

We have the next set of rule changes taking effect at the start of 2026 and after years and years of only Red Bull and Mercedes winning anything, it feels like it’s a lot more open now and could be in 2026 too.

The situation is that you’re a top driver and every team wants you, you have to pick one for the new rule set with the aim of winning the 2026 title… and the few to follow too. Which team are you picking and why? Trusting in McLaren’s new found form, in Newey, that Ferrari can end their drought finally or with the trusted heavyweights of Red Bull and Mercedes who have won every title for 15 years now. Or do you pick one of the outsiders like Williams and think a miracle is on its way?

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#2 Ali_G

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 07:35

Mercedes because the Illmor / Merc Power trains team are simply the best in the business.

#3 DW46

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 07:43

Heart says Williams / Ferrari, head says Mercedes / Aston Martin. Same reasoning as Ali_G.

Couldn’t move to Red Bull while Horners still there cause I’m pretty, I’d distract him and we’d therefore lose the remaining engineers we had.

#4 Jackmancer

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 07:46

Merc I think. Red Bull seems on downward trajectory. Ferrari, no idea. Aston will improve but not sure if they ever win the WC, and if so, I doubt it'll be in 2026 already.



#5 ArnageWRC

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 08:29

None of them; I'd rather be a Porsche Factory driver........



#6 Beri

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 08:30

Williams. Because its Williams. Id join them any day of the week. Regardless of performance.



#7 noikeee

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 08:32

By order of preference:
 
1. Mercedes
2. Ferrari
3. McLaren
4. Aston
5. Red Bull
6. Audi
7. Alpine
8. Williams
9. RB
10. Haas


#8 PayasYouRace

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 09:08

I think I’d go with McLaren. They seem to have a handle on how to develop to a budget, and you’d expect Mercedes to not drop the ball on the power. The Mercedes works team would be a second choice, but it seems they relied to much on a massive budget.

#9 Ali623

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 09:31

Mercedes - engines are going to become a more prominent factor again in '26 and they have the best track-record with that, are also a works team which I think will have more importance again. If not them, Ferrari.

 

 

Red Bull are an internal mess and no clue how what their PU division will produce, McLaren don't have works status, and too many unknowns right now with AM. Even more so with Audi.



#10 Benchulo

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 09:38

If you are not Fernando Alonso or Lance Stroll, then Mercedes.

#11 TheFish

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 11:48

Interesting how no one has chosen Red Bull, would have been unfathomable even just a few months ago.

I went Aston Martin, in Newey I trust. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Mercedes who produce the best package though, been very good at new regs except for 2022.

#12 Sterzo

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 12:40

Other, of course. Team Lion would give the best chance of winning the Snetterton 24 hour race. They did it this year.

 

Snett-24hr-Lion-winners-24.png?rlkey=gss



#13 Nathan

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 12:47

If I went to Red Bull I'd have the same birthday as my boss and my wife  :drunk: 

 

I'd have to go with Mercedes, but would really hum-and-haw Aston Martin.



#14 ARTGP

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 12:47

Aston Martin, Mercedes, or Ferrari.

Edited by ARTGP, 09 September 2024 - 12:48.


#15 DJH63

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 15:24

Merc. They know how to build a car and they’ll have the engine.



#16 AlexPrime

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 16:23

Mercedes because the Illmor / Merc Power trains team are simply the best in the business.

Aha



#17 Raest

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 16:30

Mercedes, will have a good engine and seem to have gotten on top of the ground effect cars. Second choice Ferrari, engine will likely be on par with the Merc one but I don't trust them on the chassis side. Sincerely hope to eat crow on this.


Edited by Raest, 09 September 2024 - 16:30.


#18 Risil

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 16:33

I picked Ferrari, I think it would be fun to drive for them and get out of England for a bit



#19 jwill189

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 16:33

Mercedes. I fear they will have a monopoly because of its dominate engine again.



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#20 Afterburner

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 16:56

Spoiler alert: check my avatar.

#21 Ali_G

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 17:35

Interesting how no one has chosen Red Bull, would have been unfathomable even just a few months ago.

I went Aston Martin, in Newey I trust. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Mercedes who produce the best package though, been very good at new regs except for 2022.



I just wouldn’t choose Red Bull given the engine situation. The whispers seem to be very bad with things getting worse.

#22 Ramon69

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 17:53

I'd risk and sign for Mercedes, I think the chances of them developing a great package is higher in comparison to the rest if rules are more focused on the engine/PU. I WANT TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION Dammit !!!!  :mad:  Not waste my exceptional talent at HAAS!  :D



#23 jwill189

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 17:57

I just wouldn’t choose Red Bull given the engine situation. The whispers seem to be very bad with things getting worse.

 

Because budget is not an issue for Red Bull, couldn't they lease an engine from another manufacturer for 2026 while they continue developing their own? Would that go against the cost cap?



#24 messy

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Posted 09 September 2024 - 19:57

I’d go with McLaren. What’s the saying, trending in the right direction?

They’re onto something good. They’ve got good people, they’re making good decisions and they’re building into something special. Their progress vs Red Bull over the last couple of seasons has been astonishing. Mercedes second, but my doubt there is that it took them so long to get on top of these rules, so in terms of major rule changes that’s now a 50% success rate rather than the spectacular 100% it used to be. Red Bull without Newey will be fine, but I don’t think they’ll dominate again, even with Max.

#25 blacky

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 06:21

Listening to Vasseur and others: you better choose a works team and enjoy the time until 2026, that everyone is able to win races in 2024 and 2025 with a good car.


Edited by blacky, 10 September 2024 - 06:22.


#26 PlatenGlass

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 10:59

I think I'd be a good enough driver to win in any car, in this hypothetical scenario. Which team has the best bunch of guys to hang out with?

#27 jacdaniel

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 12:00

Interesting how no one has chosen Red Bull, would have been unfathomable even just a few months ago.

I went Aston Martin, in Newey I trust. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was Mercedes who produce the best package though, been very good at new regs except for 2022.


Red Bull are a complete unknown for 2026. Even a year or 2 back everyone knew that. We knew Honda were leaving and Red Bull would make their own engines.

It’s a ballsy move but probably not something that’s gonna work from day 1. That’s probably the main reason for Newey leaving despite whatever gossip is out there. And Max keeping his options open.

Red Bull seem like the least likely to be successful in 2026.

#28 sterlingfan2000

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 12:05

Mercedes u pretty much have overpowered Engine granted

#29 Risil

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 12:11

It’s a ballsy move but probably not something that’s gonna work from day 1. That’s probably the main reason for Newey leaving despite whatever gossip is out there. And Max keeping his options open.

 

It's not gossip that Newey left because of the Horner situation, it's been verified independently by AMuS and the BBC with multiple sources: https://www.bbc.co.u...es/cmm3v9ny78eo



#30 Sterzo

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Posted 10 September 2024 - 12:19

It's not gossip that Newey left because of the Horner situation, it's been verified independently by AMuS and the BBC with multiple sources: https://www.bbc.co.u...es/cmm3v9ny78eo

I'd split a hair and say it's been reported rather than verified. Without Newey's own words we don't know if it was the sole reason, his main reason, a contributing reason, or a source of annoyance but not significant in the decision.