2026 F1 Team-Mate Showdowns After the Spanish Grand Prix

The 2026 Formula One season has produced a fascinating series of intra‑team battles, with each of the eleven entries pitting their two drivers against one another across qualifying, sprint and race weekends. Below is a comprehensive recap of those head‑to‑head statistics, enriched with context and analysis to give a fuller picture of how the duels have unfolded so far.

**McLaren – Norris vs. Piastri** In the qualifying arena, Lando Norris has edged out Oscar Piastri nine times to five. The sprint format has been even more one‑sided, with Norris winning all five sprints they contested. When the full Grand Prix distance is considered, Norris leads the race tally eight to six.

Over the course of the season, Norris has accumulated 186 championship points compared with Piastri’s 120, and his best finish has been fourth place while Piastri’s highest is seventh. The only exception to the points tally is the Chinese Grand Prix, where neither driver started, so no points were awarded.

**Williams – Russell vs. Antonelli** George Russell’s performance against his rookie teammate Alex Albon‑Antonelli (often shortened to Antonelli) shows a mixed picture. In qualifying, Russell has been outscored six to eight, but he turned the tables in sprint events, taking three wins to Antonelli’s two.

The race results tell a clearer story: Russell finished ahead of Antonelli four times, while Antonelli managed ten better finishes in the remaining races. In the championship standings, Russell sits comfortably with 211 points against Antonelli’s 292, reflecting Antonelli’s occasional strong finishes, including a pole‑position‑like first place in one sprint. Their overall season placements range from Russell’s second‑place best to Antonelli’s occasional first‑place sprint victory. **Red Bull – Verstappen vs.

Hadjar** Max Verstappen continues to dominate his teammate Liam Hadjar. In qualifying, Verstappen has out‑qualified Hadjar eight times to three, and the sprint sessions have been a clean sweep for Verstappen, four wins to none for Hadjar. The race outcomes mirror this dominance: Verstappen has beaten Hadjar eight times to three. Their championship points reflect the gap – Verstappen sits on 145 points while Hadjar has collected 71.

The pair’s best finishes this season have been Verstappen’s consistent podiums versus Hadjar’s best of eighth place. **Red Bull (temporary line‑up) – Verstappen vs. Lawson** When Liam Lawson stepped in for Hadjar at the Dutch, Italian and Spanish rounds, the head‑to‑head record remained heavily in Verstappen’s favour.

In qualifying, Verstappen was three‑zero over Lawson, and in sprint events he again led 1‑0. The race results were 2‑1 for Verstappen, with the sprint still 1‑0. This short stint underlines Verstappen’s ability to maintain his superiority regardless of which teammate he faces. **Ferrari vs.

Mercedes – Leclerc vs. Hamilton** Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have produced a tightly contested rivalry. Qualifying has been evenly split, with both drivers achieving seven top‑qualifying performances each.

Sprint sessions, however, have seen Leclerc win twice while Hamilton has taken three. In the races, Leclerc has finished ahead of Hamilton six times to eight, and the sprint results are again close, with Leclerc winning three to Hamilton’s two. The championship points are nearly level – Leclerc with 167 and Hamilton with 191 – and their best finishes this year have been Leclerc’s fifth place and Hamilton’s third, indicating a competitive battle for podiums. **Alpine – Albon vs.

Sainz** Fernando Alonso’s team‑mate, Alex Albon, has struggled against Carlos Sainz. Qualifying sees Albon four‑to‑ten, while sprint sessions have Albon winning once against Sainz’s four. Race results are similarly lopsided, with Albon six‑to‑eight. The points gap is modest – Albon with five points versus Sainz’s six – and their season placements hover around the lower midfield, with Albon’s best at 17th and Sainz’s at 16th.

**AlphaTauri – Lawson vs. Lindblad** In the AlphaTauri camp, Liam Lawson has a slight edge over his teammate Lindblad.

Qualifying scores are six‑to‑five in Lawson’s favour, and sprint sessions are tied at two‑each. In race performance, Lawson leads eight‑to‑three, and the sprint race shows Lawson ahead three‑to‑one. Lawson’s championship tally stands at 59 points compared with Lindblad’s 31, and their best finishes this season have been Lawson’s ninth place versus Lindblad’s eleventh.

**Alfa Romeo – Lindblad vs. Tsunoda** When Yuki Tsunoda replaced Lawson for several rounds, the head‑to‑head record between Lindblad and Tsunoda emerged. Lindblad has dominated qualifying 3‑0, and also led the sprint 1‑0. In the race, Lindblad again outperformed Tsunoda 2‑1, and the sprint race was a 1‑0 win for Lindblad.

This brief matchup underscores Lindblad’s consistency when paired with a less experienced teammate. **Aston Martin – Alonso vs.

Stroll** Fernando Alonso’s duel with Lance Stroll has been one‑sided in qualifying, with Alonso winning twelve to Stroll’s two. Sprint sessions show a similar pattern, four‑to‑one.

In the race, Alonso leads eight‑to‑two, and the sprint race is three‑to‑two. However, several Grand Prix events – Australian, Chinese, Barcelona and Dutch – saw both drivers retire, resulting in no points being awarded for those rounds. Overall, Alonso has accumulated three championship points, while Stroll remains point‑less, with their best finishes being Alonso’s 19th and Stroll’s 21st.

**Mercedes‑affiliated – Bearman vs. Ocon** Oscar Bearman and Esteban Ocon have had a mixed season. Qualifying sees Bearman nine‑to‑four, while sprint sessions are three‑to‑two in his favour.

Race results are eight‑to‑five for Bearman, though he missed the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, and both drivers retired at the Dutch Grand Prix, meaning no points were awarded for that event. Their championship points stand at 18 for Bearman and three for Ocon, with season placements of 13th for Bearman and 18th for Ocon. **Haas – Hulkenberg vs. Bortoleto** Nico Hulkenberg’s battle with rookie Bortoleto shows a fairly even split in qualifying (seven each) and a slight edge for Hulkenberg in races (six‑to‑eight).

Sprint sessions have Hulkenberg winning two to Bortoleto’s three. A notable incident occurred at the Miami sprint where Hulkenberg failed to start and Bortoleto was disqualified, resulting in no points for that session. Overall, Hulkenberg has seven points to Bortoleto’s ten, with their best finishes being 15th for Hulkenberg and 14th for Bortoleto.

**AlphaTauri – Gasly vs. Colapinto** Pierre Gasly and his teammate Colapinto have produced competitive numbers.

Qualifying sees Gasly eleven‑to‑three, and sprint sessions three‑to‑two. In race performance, Gasly leads eight‑to‑six, and the sprint race is four‑to‑one. Their championship points are 41 for Gasly and 27 for Colapinto, with season bests of 10th for Gasly and 12th for Colapinto.

**Red Bull – Perez vs. Bottas** Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas have a largely neutral head‑to‑head record.

Qualifying is tied at seven each, and sprint sessions are three‑to‑two for Perez. In the race, Perez leads eight‑to‑four, though both drivers retired at the Austrian and Hungarian Grands Prix, meaning no points were awarded for those events.

Their championship points remain at zero for both, and final placements are 23rd for Perez and 22nd for Bottas. Overall, the 2026 season continues to deliver intense intra‑team competition, with each driver striving not only for personal glory but also to help their team secure valuable constructor points. Fans can follow every race weekend live via Sky Sports F1, stream without a contract through NOW, and stay updated with podcasts and WhatsApp alerts for the latest analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insights.