Hill and Herbert name their F1 ‘dark horses’ for 2026

Damon Hill and Johnny Herbert believe the 2026 season could spring a major surprise, with the two F1 veterans naming their dark horses as the sport edges toward a dramatic new regulation era.

Grand Prix racing’s sweeping changes – featuring a 50/50 power split between internal combustion and electrical energy and active aerodynamics on the design front – threaten to flip the grid upside down.

So far, the usual names have dominated the conversation – reigning champion Lando Norris, his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, and the ever-present Max Verstappen.

But for Hill and Herbert, the real intrigue lies elsewhere.

A Quiet Threat Lurking beneath the Surface

New F1 regulations have a habit of tearing up form books, and both former drivers see opportunity for Mercedes – and specifically George Russell.

Russell was the only driver outside the top three to win a race in 2025, and whispers around the paddock suggest Mercedes may have nailed the new power unit rules. That combination has caught Herbert’s eye.

“I’m probably going to go Mercedes, because I think, as a parent at the moment, I think it’s working very well,” Herbert said on the Stay on Track podcast.

“I think Antonelli’s probably got to improve on his consistency, that’s probably his weakness at the moment.

“George has done a brilliant job for them. I’m sure they’re going to be at the sharp end fighting for race wins and potentially the championship. I tell you what, I’m going to go George.”

Hill was quick to agree – slightly to his own frustration.

“Do you know, I think you nicked my answer! Because we’ve been spending so long talking about the usual suspects. And I think there are question marks over Red Bull, I think,” Hill said.

“I would say the dark horse here is George Russell, who performed brilliantly, consistently all year in a car that was not a regular winner. Yeah, I think they’re in a good place.”

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Herbert believes Mercedes’ strength could run deeper than Russell alone.

“Yeah, I think they are,” Herbert quipped. “And Antonelli proved a lot last year, I think he will be stronger as well.

“And if the car is a car that’s going to be the dominant force, they have the right pairing from a constructors’ point of view as well. I think it could be a double win for them.”

The Wildcard Nobody Should Ignore

While Russell tops their driver picks, Herbert and Hill see another team quietly positioning itself for a leap forward: Aston Martin.

With Adrian Newey now shaping the technical direction and Honda returning as a works power unit partner, Aston have ambition – and infrastructure – to match their name.

“Well, the only one, I suppose, and I don’t know if you call them small or not, is Aston,” Herbert said.

“Aston is the only one that, with the brand that it’s got, but actually, its performance, it’s underperformed in many respects from the name that it’s got. But now it’s that time of Adrian and his team to produce the goods.”

“They can’t complain. They’ve got the resources,” Hill added, before Herbert continued: “And they’ve had time. I think the wind tunnel is all sort of up and running.

“So that’s another little tour that’s going to come into play as well. So they’ve made all the right decisions, now it’s implementing the whole package.”

Whether 2026 delivers a new champion or a reshuffled hierarchy remains unknown. But if Hill and Herbert are right, the next title fight may feature some very familiar names – and at least one unexpected contender ready to pounce.

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