Coulthard: Only Mercedes Drivers Can Win 2026 F1 Title

David Coulthard has made a bold prediction for the 2026 Formula 1 season, asserting that only two drivers are in contention for the championship. He explicitly stated that both of these potential champions currently drive for Mercedes.

This analysis comes despite a significant uptick in performance from McLaren, who secured a one-two finish in the Sprint race in Miami, and a strong Grand Prix performance that saw Lando Norris finish close behind the winner. Even with these recent successes, Coulthard believes McLaren is not a championship contender.

Coulthard's assessment, shared on Channel 4, highlights Mercedes as the team to beat. He also noted that while Red Bull has seen a dip in performance, their power unit remains strong, suggesting potential for improvement. Ferrari and their drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are also mentioned as having strong potential as the season progresses.

Beyond the leading teams, Coulthard pointed to Williams, under James Vowles, as a promising outfit and Cadillac as a potential surprise. However, for the immediate title fight, Coulthard's focus remains exclusively on Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.