Which 'big four' team is the one to beat in F1 2026?

F1 pre-season is over, and one thing is clear: the 'big four' teams have remained at the sharp end through the regulations overhaul that took place over the winter.

McLaren enters the campaign as reigning constructors' champions, having destroyed the opposition in 2025, whilst Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari all fought closely for second place.

However, the comprehensive rewrite of the rule book means a brand new pecking order this year. No team appears to have mobilised and moved out of the midfield, and none of the leading quartet seems to have fallen back, as has been the case with previous regulations resets. But which of the 'big four' is the team to beat is not yet clear.

Mercedes heads into the year as favourites, but the situation is closer than initially anticipated. Red Bull set tongues wagging during the first week of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, with a surprisingly impressive showing given its power unit programme — created in collaboration with Ford — is in its infancy.

The two old rivals pointed fingers at each other during the first week in Bahrain, and whilst expectations surrounding Red Bull cooled in the second week, the team remains a dark horse and, crucially, in the fight.

Ferrari, courtesy of Charles Leclerc, set the quickest time across the six days of track action in Sakhir and is increasingly thought of as the pace setter on longer runs, too.

McLaren, of course, is also sporting Mercedes power, so the Woking-based squad will be looking to get the better of its power unit supplier yet again.

But which team is at the top of the tree? Let us know what you think below in the latest poll by RacingNews365!