Sports · 8 February 2026
Riccardo Patrese predicts Verstappen wins 2026 title under new regulations
Steffen Prößdorf via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Former Formula One driver Riccardo Patrese believes Max Verstappen is best equipped to handle the sweeping regulation changes arriving in 2026, tipping him as an early favourite for the title. However, newcomer Kimi Antonelli argues younger racers could gain an edge by adapting more quickly to the complex energy management demands. The 2026 season will span 24 race weekends and include six Sprint events, following Lando Norris’s 2025 championship, as 11 teams and 22 drivers brace for a major technical reset.
Reported by grandprix247.com · How we write briefs