Revealed: Who Max Verstappen views as 2026 F1 title threats

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has revealed who Max Verstappen views as his title rivals this season following a recent conversation.

There is much unknown ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season due to the new power unit regulations, with the usual top four teams all pointing the finger at one another during testing.

Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari are again expected to be the leading outfits, despite the magnitude of the new rules, but which of the four will be strongest remains unclear.

Red Bull’s new powertrain has received much praise in the paddock across the Barcelona and Bahrain tests, but Mercedes ended last week’s test with the two quickest times.

Crucially, it is not specifically the Brackley-based outfit being spoken about, but rather the strength of the German manufacturer’s engine.

In addition to Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, Williams and Alpine are also powered by the Silver Arrows, with Verstappen viewing any driver with a Mercedes engine as a threat.

Asked if Russell is the title favourite, Coulthard told talkSPORT: "Well, look, I spoke to Max Verstappen a couple of days ago, and when I asked him, ‘Who are your competitors?’ he said, ‘Anyone with a Mercedes engine.’

"Well, there are four teams that have Mercedes engines: Mercedes themselves, McLaren, of course, Alpine, and Williams — with Williams looking a little bit on the back foot.

"So yeah, right now, if you had to place a bet, George Russell for world champion is probably not a bad bet — but never write off Max.

"And I was reading earlier that Ferrari have been quite good on the long runs, so maybe a newly loved-up Lewis Hamilton will rediscover his form and win his eighth world title."