📊 KEY F1 QUALI STATS (Averages - 2025 vs 2026)
- 2025: McL >> RBR > Mercedes > Ferrari >> Williams;
- 2026: Mercedes >> Ferrari > McL > RBR >> Alpine.
- Mercedes got ALL poles (so far) in 2026; McL's 'just' 13 out of 24 in 2025.
- New regulations → Much larger field spread.
Average gap to pole more than DOUBLED: from 0.86% of laptime (~0.7s) to 1.79% (~1.5s).
- 2025: McL >> RBR > Mercedes > Ferrari >> Williams;
- 2026: Mercedes >> Ferrari > McL > RBR >> Alpine.
- Mercedes got ALL poles (so far) in 2026; McL's 'just' 13 out of 24 in 2025.
- New regulations → Much larger field spread.
Average gap to pole more than DOUBLED: from 0.86% of laptime (~0.7s) to 1.79% (~1.5s).
❤15🔥3
📊 Barcelona-Catalunya GP - Qualifying | Aero Performance & Quali Gaps 2025 vs 2026
AERO PERFORMANCE:
The upgraded Ferrari was not only very quick (1-3 was possible, their first real shot), but also no other car was faster (342km/h) on their best lap - something they had never come close to before! 💡
The car now has very little drag, with only a power deficit standing between them and a win. ✅
QUALI GAPS 2025 vs 2026:
Ferrari's updates (worth an estimated 0.2s @GiulyDuchessa) worked: they were the team that lost the least time to '25, and had a shot at a 1-3 finish! HAM did a great job once again, while LEC must get out of his own head.
Compared to last year, Merc lost 0.13s to Ferrari, RBR 0.48s, McL 0.85s!
Aston was over 6.4s slower than last year, basically F1.5 💀(ALO is rumoured to be in talks with Alpine).
AERO PERFORMANCE:
The upgraded Ferrari was not only very quick (1-3 was possible, their first real shot), but also no other car was faster (342km/h) on their best lap - something they had never come close to before! 💡
The car now has very little drag, with only a power deficit standing between them and a win. ✅
QUALI GAPS 2025 vs 2026:
Ferrari's updates (worth an estimated 0.2s @GiulyDuchessa) worked: they were the team that lost the least time to '25, and had a shot at a 1-3 finish! HAM did a great job once again, while LEC must get out of his own head.
Compared to last year, Merc lost 0.13s to Ferrari, RBR 0.48s, McL 0.85s!
Aston was over 6.4s slower than last year, basically F1.5 💀(ALO is rumoured to be in talks with Alpine).
🔥11❤7
F1 All-Time Official Top Speed Record To Fall in 2026?
F1's All-Time Official Top Speed Record (372.54 km/h, Williams in Mexico 2016) could fall this year, even though '26 cars have just ~550 hp above 350 km/h. That's the impact of running minimal drag! 🚀
BOR smashed Catalunya's previous record (349 km/h, STR in '21): he hit 360 km/h on lap 2 (so on a full tank, which limited his acceleration)! He was also 25m behind the car ahead, while STR was right on the gearbox of the car in front (and on lap 59, so with far less fuel onboard).
Mark my words: speeds will exceed 370 km/h in Mexico (thanks to the low air density), and we'll see the highest speeds ever clocked in F1, despite very low ICE power!
[Only official/confirmed top speed values considered.]
Via @JMP_software
(Idea by @yelistener)
F1's All-Time Official Top Speed Record (372.54 km/h, Williams in Mexico 2016) could fall this year, even though '26 cars have just ~550 hp above 350 km/h. That's the impact of running minimal drag! 🚀
BOR smashed Catalunya's previous record (349 km/h, STR in '21): he hit 360 km/h on lap 2 (so on a full tank, which limited his acceleration)! He was also 25m behind the car ahead, while STR was right on the gearbox of the car in front (and on lap 59, so with far less fuel onboard).
Mark my words: speeds will exceed 370 km/h in Mexico (thanks to the low air density), and we'll see the highest speeds ever clocked in F1, despite very low ICE power!
[Only official/confirmed top speed values considered.]
Via @JMP_software
(Idea by @yelistener)
🔥11❤3
📊 Austrian GP - Practice 2 | Session Analysis: Best Sectors, Track Domination & Top Speed
Mercedes are the favourites: unmatched top speed among the top teams.
🟧 McL/🟥 Ferrari losing significantly on straights. McL has excellent early-straight acceleration, while Ferrari is losing in all sectors. (New PU debut in FP3?).
🟦 RBR: Excellent traction
🟨 RBs: Best top speed
🟩 Aston: 24 km/h top speed deficit!
POWER RANKINGS
1) Mercedes
2) McL
3) Ferrari/RBR
Mercedes are the favourites: unmatched top speed among the top teams.
🟧 McL/🟥 Ferrari losing significantly on straights. McL has excellent early-straight acceleration, while Ferrari is losing in all sectors. (New PU debut in FP3?).
🟦 RBR: Excellent traction
🟨 RBs: Best top speed
🟩 Aston: 24 km/h top speed deficit!
POWER RANKINGS
1) Mercedes
2) McL
3) Ferrari/RBR
❤13👍3
📊 Austrian GP - Qualifying | Quali Analysis
🟩 Mercedes (RUS) got pole by being competitive everywhere.
🟥 Ferrari was still the slowest on the straights despite the updated engine. Best-in-grid downforce.
🟦 RBR: Best Top Speed.
🟧 McL: Lacks aero efficiency (Low top speed, slowest in fastest corner).
🟩 Mercedes (RUS) got pole by being competitive everywhere.
🟥 Ferrari was still the slowest on the straights despite the updated engine. Best-in-grid downforce.
🟦 RBR: Best Top Speed.
🟧 McL: Lacks aero efficiency (Low top speed, slowest in fastest corner).
❤7🥰4
📊 Austrian GP - Race | Race Pace Analysis
Verstappen had the best race pace, by a tiny margin (0.07s). Great comeback after the crash!
ANT almost as quick as RUS, McLaren 3rd best car.
Ferrari’s extra stop didn’t pay off: HAM was barely quicker than PIA, who pitted twice.
Racing Bulls best of the rest.
Verstappen had the best race pace, by a tiny margin (0.07s). Great comeback after the crash!
ANT almost as quick as RUS, McLaren 3rd best car.
Ferrari’s extra stop didn’t pay off: HAM was barely quicker than PIA, who pitted twice.
Racing Bulls best of the rest.
❤13🔥6🥰1
🏎 Ferrari's Terrible Tyre Wear at the Barcelona-Catalunya and Austrian GP
Ferrari's tyre wear on the Medium compound was terrible - TWICE that of the other teams 😳 (>1.5s/lap slower after just 13 laps)!
In Catalunya, their higher wear forced a 3-stop strategy, which proved best. They were forced into the same approach in Austria, where, however, a 2-stopper was actually better.
So in Catalunya, worse wear + the best strategy evened out. In Austria, it was worse wear AND worse strategy!
On the Hards, Ferrari was the slowest top team. On Mediums, they pushed too hard at the start of the stint (matching Mercedes' lap times), and their wear skyrocketed. The extreme heat likely hurt their rear grip, which LEC said was missing.
Plenty to learn and improve on for the next races..
Ferrari's tyre wear on the Medium compound was terrible - TWICE that of the other teams 😳 (>1.5s/lap slower after just 13 laps)!
In Catalunya, their higher wear forced a 3-stop strategy, which proved best. They were forced into the same approach in Austria, where, however, a 2-stopper was actually better.
So in Catalunya, worse wear + the best strategy evened out. In Austria, it was worse wear AND worse strategy!
On the Hards, Ferrari was the slowest top team. On Mediums, they pushed too hard at the start of the stint (matching Mercedes' lap times), and their wear skyrocketed. The extreme heat likely hurt their rear grip, which LEC said was missing.
Plenty to learn and improve on for the next races..
👍9❤5
📊 Austrian GP - Qualifying | Mercedes's Deployment Secret?
I've looked at ALL laps from Austria Quali and found big differences in deployment/harvesting strategies! 👀
⬛️ Mercedes: acceleration drops minimally with speed. They can do this because they harvest at FULL THROTTLE below 150 km/h - something no other team does!
🟦 RBR: strong deployment and minimal harvesting at ~200 km/h, but acceleration drops massively with speed. Clipping lasts a long time, though less intense than Mercedes'.
🟥 Ferrari: sits between the two extremes, and has the lowest acceleration above 310 km/h (weak ICE).
Cars will be energy-starved at Silverstone: a strong ICE and a smart ERS strategy will be critical!
Via @JMP_software
I've looked at ALL laps from Austria Quali and found big differences in deployment/harvesting strategies! 👀
⬛️ Mercedes: acceleration drops minimally with speed. They can do this because they harvest at FULL THROTTLE below 150 km/h - something no other team does!
🟦 RBR: strong deployment and minimal harvesting at ~200 km/h, but acceleration drops massively with speed. Clipping lasts a long time, though less intense than Mercedes'.
🟥 Ferrari: sits between the two extremes, and has the lowest acceleration above 310 km/h (weak ICE).
Cars will be energy-starved at Silverstone: a strong ICE and a smart ERS strategy will be critical!
Via @JMP_software
❤5
📊 British GP - Sprint Qualifying | Top Speed & Time at Maximum Throttle
Ferrari did a miracle with the ERS strategy, allowing HAM to achieve a brilliant pole! 😲
LEC and HAM could stay full throttle more than any other driver, maximising the energy they could harvest. They then deployed it to achieve the best top speeds BY FAR!
Excellent traction/grip → more harvesting opportunities
It's also possible that they turned the new PU slightly up.
Completely unexpected, honestly!
Ferrari did a miracle with the ERS strategy, allowing HAM to achieve a brilliant pole! 😲
LEC and HAM could stay full throttle more than any other driver, maximising the energy they could harvest. They then deployed it to achieve the best top speeds BY FAR!
Excellent traction/grip → more harvesting opportunities
It's also possible that they turned the new PU slightly up.
Completely unexpected, honestly!
👏5❤2
Formula Data Analysis
📊 British GP - Sprint Qualifying | Top Speed & Time at Maximum Throttle Ferrari did a miracle with the ERS strategy, allowing HAM to achieve a brilliant pole! 😲 LEC and HAM could stay full throttle more than any other driver, maximising the energy they could…
It's like the team read the post I made yesterday about Mercedes being able to harvest more by staying full throttle longer, especially at low speed...
https://t.me/FDataAn/2690
https://t.me/FDataAn/2690
Telegram
Formula Data Analysis
📊 Austrian GP - Qualifying | Mercedes's Deployment Secret?
I've looked at ALL laps from Austria Quali and found big differences in deployment/harvesting strategies! 👀
⬛️ Mercedes: acceleration drops minimally with speed. They can do this because they harvest…
I've looked at ALL laps from Austria Quali and found big differences in deployment/harvesting strategies! 👀
⬛️ Mercedes: acceleration drops minimally with speed. They can do this because they harvest…
❤3
📊 British GP - Race |RACE PACE
Leclerc was THE KING of Silverstone! 👑
0.22s/lap quicker than RUS despite using one fewer set of tyres, and 0.30s/lap faster than 9-time winner HAM on the same strategy.
ANT just 0.2s/lap behind LEC despite using a single set of Mediums for almost all his race (laps since issue removed)!
🚨 The quicker Aston (ALO) was 4.63s/lap behind…
A terrific race ended as a terrible farce
ANT lost points today, yet got something possibly more precious in return: like HAM winning on 3 wheels and Schumacher winning stuck in 5th, he could show everyone that he has grit of a true champion.
Leclerc was THE KING of Silverstone! 👑
0.22s/lap quicker than RUS despite using one fewer set of tyres, and 0.30s/lap faster than 9-time winner HAM on the same strategy.
ANT just 0.2s/lap behind LEC despite using a single set of Mediums for almost all his race (laps since issue removed)!
🚨 The quicker Aston (ALO) was 4.63s/lap behind…
A terrific race ended as a terrible farce
ANT lost points today, yet got something possibly more precious in return: like HAM winning on 3 wheels and Schumacher winning stuck in 5th, he could show everyone that he has grit of a true champion.
👍8❤1
📊 British GP - Race |Top Speed per Lap
Hamilton hit 350 km/h, by far (+6 km/h) the highest top speed in the race! 🚀
Contributing factors:
- First race with the upgraded ICE at sea level ✅ (the Austrian altitude hurt the small turbo).
- First race with the low-drag diffuser. ✅
As seen over a single lap, Ferrari’s top speed has become much more competitive, making energy management in the race easier too.
LEC led throughout, so no overtake mode: “just” 320 km/h.
STR barely exceeded 310!
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that Alonso reached 334 km/h thanks to overtake mode + a very strong slipstream!
Hamilton hit 350 km/h, by far (+6 km/h) the highest top speed in the race! 🚀
Contributing factors:
- First race with the upgraded ICE at sea level ✅ (the Austrian altitude hurt the small turbo).
- First race with the low-drag diffuser. ✅
As seen over a single lap, Ferrari’s top speed has become much more competitive, making energy management in the race easier too.
LEC led throughout, so no overtake mode: “just” 320 km/h.
STR barely exceeded 310!
Don’t let this distract you from the fact that Alonso reached 334 km/h thanks to overtake mode + a very strong slipstream!
🥰6❤2
⚙️ Mercedes: Best Power Unit?
Contrary to F1 ADUO, over a Silverstone quali lap, RBR didn't appear to have the highest power — Mercedes did!💡
(Ferrari still way back despite the PU update.)
RBR's power drops off sharply above 290 km/h (where maximum ERS power must decrease linearly with speed): Mercedes may have the better harvesting/deployment strategy, allowing higher power above that threshold, or simply less drag (which is factored into the "Specific Power" metric).
Note:
v³ on the horizontal axis, Power/Mass ratio on the vertical (including drag contribution).
Linear fit below 290 km/h (constant ERS power, drag increasing with v³); ERS power drops linearly above 290 km/h per the regulations.
Only straight-mode, full-deployment instants considered
Analysis in collaboration with the brilliant @FormulaGhostLap: check out their page!
Next up:
Comparing performance across tracks to isolate the effect of Ferrari's new PU, high altitude, and RBR's weight reduction. Follow @FDataAnalysis not to miss it!
Contrary to F1 ADUO, over a Silverstone quali lap, RBR didn't appear to have the highest power — Mercedes did!💡
(Ferrari still way back despite the PU update.)
RBR's power drops off sharply above 290 km/h (where maximum ERS power must decrease linearly with speed): Mercedes may have the better harvesting/deployment strategy, allowing higher power above that threshold, or simply less drag (which is factored into the "Specific Power" metric).
Note:
v³ on the horizontal axis, Power/Mass ratio on the vertical (including drag contribution).
Linear fit below 290 km/h (constant ERS power, drag increasing with v³); ERS power drops linearly above 290 km/h per the regulations.
Only straight-mode, full-deployment instants considered
Analysis in collaboration with the brilliant @FormulaGhostLap: check out their page!
Next up:
Comparing performance across tracks to isolate the effect of Ferrari's new PU, high altitude, and RBR's weight reduction. Follow @FDataAnalysis not to miss it!
👍7👏2
📊 Belgian GP | Antonelli Telemetry Analysis 2025 vs 2026
Look at this telemetry: can you believe that it's the SAME track?!? 🤯 (⬜️'25 vs 🟩'26)
Spa's long full-throttle sections starve the '26 cars of energy, making them massively slower before most braking points. 🪫
Take T16-17 (uphill): ANT lost 1km/h in '25, 48km/h in '26!
The '26 car, on full throttle, does NOT accelerate out of T10, DESPITE the rule changes made to limit clipping!
I've never seen such a big year-on-year difference in any racing series...
Look at this telemetry: can you believe that it's the SAME track?!? 🤯 (⬜️'25 vs 🟩'26)
Spa's long full-throttle sections starve the '26 cars of energy, making them massively slower before most braking points. 🪫
Take T16-17 (uphill): ANT lost 1km/h in '25, 48km/h in '26!
The '26 car, on full throttle, does NOT accelerate out of T10, DESPITE the rule changes made to limit clipping!
I've never seen such a big year-on-year difference in any racing series...
😭8❤3
📊 Belgian GP - Qualifying | Qualifying 2025 vs 2026
Mercedes lost the least performance, yet was still over 3s/lap slower than last year!
Positions before penalties:
Mercedes P6 ('25) → P1 ('26)
RBR P4 → P2
McLaren P1 → P3
Ferrari P3 → P5
Aston was closer in pace to the '25 F2 pole than to their own '25 quali time: just 7.149s ahead of F2, but 7.617s off their best from last year!
Mercedes lost the least performance, yet was still over 3s/lap slower than last year!
Positions before penalties:
Mercedes P6 ('25) → P1 ('26)
RBR P4 → P2
McLaren P1 → P3
Ferrari P3 → P5
Aston was closer in pace to the '25 F2 pole than to their own '25 quali time: just 7.149s ahead of F2, but 7.617s off their best from last year!
😭5
📊 Belgian GP - Race | Race Pace Analysis
ANT was quickest, end of story!
0.20s/lap faster than LEC, 0.22s/lap ahead of VER!
LEC ended up fighting ANT rather than VER by pitting under the VSC. Still, a monumental drive (and a tremendous team effort to secure P2 in Spa with such an engine deficit)!
NOR had the pace: faster than HAM despite traffic, and fastest lap of the race!
Based on the onboards and his performance in free air, Hamilton’s damage didn’t seem to impact his performance significantly (maybe one tenth per lap).
PIA’s too, based on his engineer’s team radio.
Still, something to keep in mind...
ANT was quickest, end of story!
0.20s/lap faster than LEC, 0.22s/lap ahead of VER!
LEC ended up fighting ANT rather than VER by pitting under the VSC. Still, a monumental drive (and a tremendous team effort to secure P2 in Spa with such an engine deficit)!
NOR had the pace: faster than HAM despite traffic, and fastest lap of the race!
Based on the onboards and his performance in free air, Hamilton’s damage didn’t seem to impact his performance significantly (maybe one tenth per lap).
PIA’s too, based on his engineer’s team radio.
Still, something to keep in mind...
👍8❤2