The 2026 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with some teams and drivers exceeding expectations while others have fallen short. As an expert commentator, I've analyzed the season so far and identified the biggest disappointments, drawing on personal insights and broader perspectives. Here's my take on the top disappointments of the 2026 F1 season, with a heavy dose of commentary and analysis.
The Disappointing Start of Aston Martin-Honda
One of the most disappointing aspects of the season has been the underperformance of Aston Martin-Honda. The team was once seen as a potential race-winning force, with a state-of-the-art factory, a dedicated engine partnership with Honda, and the legendary design talent of Adrian Newey. However, the car has struggled, and the team has only managed one point so far, which was inherited after a post-race penalty in Monaco. This is a stark contrast to the team's potential, and it's a disappointment to see such a talented outfit underperforming.
What makes this disappointment even more frustrating is the fact that the team has the pieces to succeed. The car has the potential to be a powerhouse, but it's not living up to expectations. The team's struggles have been amplified by the fact that the car has been overweight and has had to undergo a development pivot at a time when much of the car had already been signed off. This has led to a devastating start to the season, and it's hard to watch at times.
However, there are signs of hope. The team has started to turn things around, and the improved Honda engine is expected to arrive soon. This could be the catalyst for a captivating comeback, and it's something to watch out for in the coming races.
The Struggles of Williams
Another team that has been a disappointment is Williams. The team has been regrouping and adding new people and systems, with the expectation that this year would be the season where everything came together. However, the team has missed the start of pre-season testing and has struggled throughout the season, going backwards from where it started. This has been a squandering of the talents of Carlos Sainz, who is a clear asset to the team.
The struggles of Williams have been amplified by the fact that the team has been working with a car that is overweight and has undergone a development U-turn. The team has also missed essential deadlines and the pre-season shakedown, which has put them on the back foot. Despite the might of Toyota behind them, the team has not made a significant contribution, and it's hard to see how its story in this regulations cycle will be anything but a retread of the same steps that had already been trodden in the early years of the Dorilton era.
The Lack of Battery Data in Broadcasts
From a working-in-media standpoint, one of the biggest disappointments has been F1's seeming reluctance to lean into incorporating more battery data into broadcasts. This is a missed opportunity, as it's a fascinating aspect of the sport that many fans would love to see more of. The assumption that viewers don't want to understand the races they're watching is misguided, and it's a shame that F1 is not taking advantage of the opportunity to engage with its fans on a deeper level.
The lack of clarity within many teams about which driver is performing better and how much better they are is also a disappointment. This makes it difficult for fans to get a true sense of the competition, and it's a shame that the usual metrics have to be taken with a grain of salt due to technical issues and inconsistencies across the two cars.
The Disappointing Power Units
The new power units have also been a disappointment, failing to move the needle forward when compared with the hybrid solution that was in place for just over a decade. Regardless of the new manufacturer involvement, the regulatory framework has resulted in a subpar product that has been damaging to the racing. This is a shame, as the new power units were expected to bring a fresh and exciting element to the sport, but instead, they have fallen short.
The Disappointing Performance of Alpine
Another team that has been a disappointment is Alpine. Despite having the Mercedes PU, which is a precious commodity in this early phase of the regs, the team has only really exploited that advantage to the barest minimum. The team has settled into the role of a perennial midpacker with no greater prospects or aspirations, especially now that it's in some ways just another customer team. This is a disappointment, as the team had the potential to be more competitive, but it has not lived up to expectations.
The Disappointing Performance of George Russell
Finally, while not necessarily the biggest disappointment, George Russell has also fallen short. The way he has driven the car has uncovered something that hasn't been an issue earlier in his career, and it's tragic that his opportunity has come just at the time he's met with the least malleable F1 car of his career so far. Despite this, I still believe he has everything needed to be a world champion, and I'm looking forward to seeing how he performs in the coming races.
In conclusion, the 2026 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of emotions, with some teams and drivers exceeding expectations while others have fallen short. The biggest disappointments have been the underperformance of Aston Martin-Honda, the struggles of Williams, the lack of battery data in broadcasts, the disappointing power units, and the disappointing performance of Alpine and George Russell. However, there are signs of hope, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds in the coming races.
