Mercedes title win signals no clear F1 dominance

Mercedes has secured both the 2026 drivers' and constructors' championships, but the season has shown no team building a lasting advantage late on. Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren have all enjoyed spells of success, and over the last five rounds up to and including Brazil, Mercedes was only the third-highest-scoring team.

An analysis of the constructors' standings points to a tight top four. Red Bull scored 152 points across the last five races, Ferrari 132, Mercedes 114 and McLaren 92, giving no team a clear edge in the closing stages.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said he does not expect runaway seasons to return. He described the coming era as likely to be the most competitive yet, noting that teams are now so professional in capability and resource that a sustained streak of dominance looks unlikely.