Across the 2026 season, there are a total of 30 qualifying sessions from the 24 grands prix and six Sprint events.
With so many opportunities to get it right, or wrong, the data between teammates can be interesting to see who is faster over a single lap - often measured as a big yardstick for drivers.
In the table below, we have calculated the head-to-head qualifying scores, the average time difference and the average position each driver has taken so far this season.
The table does not include sprint events, which are in a second table below.
To calculate the average time difference, we have taken the fastest lap-time from the last segment in which each team-mate both competed in and set a time. For example, if one team-mate makes Q3 and the other is eliminated in Q2, then the Q2 times are used to calculate the average.
If one team-mate makes Q3, but the other does not set a lap-time in Q2, then the Q1 times are used, as this is the last session in which both drivers set a time.
If a driver does not set a time in qualifying for whatever reason, this does not count towards the overall advantage or deficit in their average time difference with their team-mate, meaning the overall number then used to calculate this average is reduced by one.
So, for example, in the cases of Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and Lance Stroll, the Australian GP does not count in their time difference to Isack Hadjar, Alex Albon, and Fernando Alonso.
Average grid position is not affected by this.
The average positions are calculated through the final grid slots as assigned in the final FIA grid, with pit-lane starts being counted as P20.
2026 F1 team-mate qualifying head-to-head
| Drivers | Score | Average time difference | Average position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri | 0-1 | -0.095s | 6 vs 5 |
| George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli | 1-0 | +0.293s | 1 vs 2 |
| Max Verstappen vs Isack Hadjar | 0-1 | - | 20 vs 3 |
| Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton | 1-0 | +0.151s | 3 vs 7 |
| Alex Albon vs Carlos Sainz | 1-0 | - | 15 vs 21 |
| Liam Lawson vs Arvid Lindblad | 1-0 | +1.253s | 8 vs 9 |
| Fernando Alonso vs Lance Stroll | 1-0 | - | 17 vs 22 |
| Esteban Ocon vs Oliver Bearman | 0-1 | -0.108s | 13 vs 12 |
| Nico Hulkenberg vs Gabriel Bortoleto | 0-1 | -0.082s | 11 vs 10 |
| Pierre Gasly vs Franco Colapinto | 1-0 | +0.769s | 14 vs 16 |
| Valtteri Bottas vs Sergio Perez | 0-1 | -0.549s | 19 vs 18 |
Sprint race qualifying head-to-head
The formula for calculating the average time delta and average position for the Sprint race qualifying sessions is the same as used for the main grand prix, as outlined above.
2026 F1 team-mate Sprint qualifying head-to-head
| Drivers | Score | Average time difference | Average position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri | - | - | - |
| George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli | - | - | - |
| Max Verstappen vs Isack Hadjar | - | - | - |
| Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton | - | - | - |
| Alex Albon vs Carlos Sainz | - | - | - |
| Liam Lawson vs Arvid Lindblad | - | - | - |
| Fernando Alonso vs Lance Stroll | - | - | - |
| Esteban Ocon vs Oliver Bearman | - | - | - |
| Nico Hulkenberg vs Gabriel Bortoleto | - | - | - |
| Pierre Gasly vs Franco Colapinto | - | - | - |
| Valtteri Bottas vs Sergio Perez | - | - | - |
Also interesting:
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