Who benefits from the new F1 start regulations – and who is falling behind?

With Formula 1’s new 2026 regulations, the race start has gained massive importance. The revised power units deliver significantly more hybrid power but no longer feature the MGU-H on the turbo. As a result, power delivery off the line has become inconsistent – making car behaviour in the opening metres less predictable.

This creates a particularly critical phase for drivers and teams, where every metre gained on the run to the first corner determine positions and overtaking opportunities. Ferrari had already warned about these challenges before the season began, and even the FIA was forced to adjust the starting procedure.

After the first three race weekends, it is now clear how differently teams are coping with the new conditions: some drivers are consistently gaining positions, while others are losing crucial ground. The analysis of the start phase provides insight into who is benefiting from the new regulations – and who still has significant room for improvement.

Twenty-five positions gained: Ferrari engine best off the line

Across the first four races of the 2026 season – including the sprint in China – all Ferrari-powered teams combined have gained 25 positions on the opening lap. No other engine manufacturer matches that figure, although the comparison is naturally skewed by the fact that Audi and Honda each supply only a single team.

Aston Martin currently sits on 14 positions gained on lap one, making it statistically the second-best engine at the start – at least at first glance. However, caution is warranted: the team often starts from the back, where gaining positions is more likely and losing ground is nearly impossible.

Mercedes-powered cars follow with eight positions gained, driven largely by strong performances from the customer teams. In contrast, Red Bull and Audi have struggled significantly: Red Bull-powered cars have lost 21 positions on the opening lap so far, while Audi sits at minus 26 – despite supplying only its own works team.

Best team off the line: it’s not Ferrari

Surprisingly, no Ferrari-powered team leads the rankings individually. That distinction currently belongs to Williams, with a total of 18 positions gained on the first lap. The Ferrari works team follows closely behind with 17.

However, Williams’ performance is somewhat flattered by its usual starting positions near the back. Ferrari, by contrast, typically starts inside the top five, making it much harder to gain positions. In that context, the Scuderia’s performance appears particularly impressive – its intensive preparation for race starts is clearly paying off.

The two other Ferrari-powered teams, Haas and Cadillac, have managed just four positions gained combined. This highlights a key point: even with identical engines, start performance can vary significantly – a pattern that is also evident among Mercedes-powered teams.

Start struggles: what are customer teams doing better than Mercedes?

Among Mercedes-powered teams, it is ironically the works outfit that performs the worst at the start. While it is understandable that positions cannot easily be gained from the front rows, losing 22 positions across just four race starts is nonetheless striking.

After all, not only Williams has impressed as a customer team, but also Alpine and McLaren – despite frequently starting from stronger grid positions themselves. Alpine has gained 10 positions on the opening lap, while McLaren has added two. Particularly notable was Oscar Piastri’s strong launch in Japan – his first actual grand prix start given he failed to make the grid in both Australia and China.

This suggests that the engine alone cannot explain Mercedes’ start issues. Rather, the start procedure itself – execution, set-up, and operational consistency – is a clear weakness at present.

Drivers: Sainz the launch king, Hulkenberg’s misery

A look at the driver data confirms the picture: Carlos Sainz is currently the most successful starter of the season, with a total of 12 positions gained on the opening lap, an average of three per race. He is followed by Fernando Alonso (10), Charles Leclerc (9), and Lewis Hamilton (8).

A striking contrast can be seen within the Mercedes team: George Russell has lost five positions on lap one so far, while team-mate Kimi Antonelli has dropped as many as 17.

Nico Hulkenberg stands out particularly negatively: the German has lost a total of 21 positions on the opening lap in just three blasts off the line – having not even started in Australia.

Differences are also evident within the Red Bull stable: while the Racing Bulls generally manage to hold their positions, the works team is slipping back significantly. Both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have each lost 11 positions on the opening lap so far.