2026 Formula One Season Thread

[pachyderm]

Yes, but that wasn't my point. It is the way the younger fans are 'attempting' to make it out as some war between the American companies with snarky remarks back and forth, but facts are facts, Ford on the front row as it is Red Bull, and Cadillac in the mid field and back. Although Red Bull may pull a Mercedes and really mess the design up of course. Mercedes and Ferrari already power mid field runners, and unless Cadillac have the talent of McLaren in their designers they aren't going to be at the front.

Front row, for real? You think Mercedes/McLaren won't be up there as well/instead?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I guess that's part of Liberty's plans. With two major American car manufactures making an appearance in F1, the classic American argument of Ford vs GM can find a new arena for fans to engage, regardless of whether or not the brands actually have much to do with the cars racing.

For the US fans. No one cars outside of the US.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Nothing turns me off F1 more than major car manufacturers going head to head. I was glad to see the back of Toyota and Honda works teams years ago but these companies tend to float in and out when it suits.

 

[Pezimak]

Front row, for real? You think Mercedes/McLaren won't be up there as well/instead?

Yes they will but I think RB will be there too as usual. I am being positive lol.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Nothing turns me off F1 more than major car manufacturers going head to head. I was glad to see the back of Toyota and Honda works teams years ago but these companies tend to float in and out when it suits.

Thing is the market has moved on somewhat. I think traditional car companies have bigger things to worry about (like BYD and Tesla stealing their customer base).

 

[pachyderm]

Yes they will but I think RB will be there too as usual. I am being positive lol.

I'd love to see the Ford PU be competitive.

 

[Pezimak]

I'd love to see the Ford PU be competitive.

It's whether the battery pack can last the race that is the issue with the RB power train!

 

[Glideslope]

It's whether the battery pack can last the race that is the issue with the RB power train!

Ford is somewhat advanced in their LFP, and LMR Lithium Cells. Their Solid State program is making good progress as well. I wouldn't look at their collapse in the EV car market in the US as a failure of their Cell Technology. So, I would think their battery will be able to if the heat is managed. The ERS system for 2026 generates tremendous amounts of heat. The size we see with the new airbag designs is more about ERS cooling than PU intake.

No defending Ford here. I do think they deserve more credit for their Battery Cell development than they receive.

 

[Glideslope]

I'd love to see the Ford PU be competitive.

As long as it's an RB22.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Thing is the market has moved on somewhat. I think traditional car companies have bigger things to worry about (like BYD and Tesla stealing their customer base).

Thats what I meant when I said about floating in and out when it suits. They need the exposure now so F1 is valuable again. They are different to the more luxury marques like Ferrari and Mercedes where F1 always suits them, regardless of market. The more average consumer brands like Ford, Honda, and Toyota dip their toes in to boost sales by getting those brands back on screen and support technical collaborations where technologies are being shared and developed for their markets.

 

[Glideslope]

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