Qualifying performance remains one of the main barometers of the balance between teammates in the 2026 Formula 1 season. With the qualifying sessions held so far in 2026, the data reveals significant pace differences between some pairings, while others remain very balanced.
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In the analysis, the average lap time and final grid position show varied situations among the drivers:
Lando Norris vs Oscar Piastri: Piastri takes the advantage, winning 2-0 in the head-to-head, with an average of 0,076s faster, maintaining an average position of 5th against Norris’s 6th.
George Russell vs Kimi Antonelli: Absolute balance, 1-1, with an average difference of 0,035s and identical average positions, 1,5 for each.
Max Verstappen vs Isack Hadjar: 1-1 in the head-to-head, but Verstappen shows an average 0,119s slower than Hadjar, with average positions of 14th and 6th, respectively.
Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton: 1-1, Hamilton with an average 0,069s slower and average positions of 4th (Leclerc) and 5th (Hamilton).
Alex Albon vs Carlos Sainz: 1-1, Albon faster on average by 0,445s, average positions of 16,5 and 19.
Liam Lawson vs Arvid Lindblad: Lawson dominates 2-0, with a 0,636s advantage and average positions of 11 vs 12.
Fernando Alonso vs Lance Stroll: Alonso 2-0, average of 0,792s faster, average positions 18 vs 21,5.
Esteban Ocon vs Oliver Bearman: Bearman outpaces Ocon 2-0, average of 0,260s faster, average positions 11 vs 13.
Nico Hulkenberg vs Gabriel Bortoleto: 1-1 tie, Hulkenberg 0,264s faster, average positions 11 vs 13.
Pierre Gasly vs Franco Colapinto: Gasly 2-0, 0,561s faster, average positions 10,5 vs 14.
Valtteri Bottas vs Sergio Perez: 1-1 tie, Bottas 0,039s faster, average positions 19,5 vs 20.
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These numbers highlight not only the individual competitiveness of each driver but also the importance of extracting the maximum from the cars in qualifying sessions, where differences of tenths can define the race strategy.
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