A Season of Surprises

The 2026 Formula 1® season has delivered an exciting mix of rising stars and established veterans pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of their moment on the podium.

Now, eight Drivers who have defined the season so far - or could make their mark during its second half - are coming to F1® Clash as the new Paddock Picks Special Editions collection.

With half the season still to race, there is plenty more to come. While some Drivers have already emerged as likely winners, several potential underdogs could yet upset the established order.

Skill vs. Talent

Capturing the momentum of the 2026 season, Paddock Picks looks beyond the championship standings to spotlight Drivers who are already performing strongly alongside those expected to improve after the summer break.

Each selected Driver will be available in F1® Clash in two varieties: Standard and Turbo Charged. Performing beyond the limits of regular Driver assets, these Special Editions could provide the distinct advantage Players need to dominate the racetrack.

Meet the eight Drivers selected as our 2026 Paddock Picks.

Oscar Piastri

Oscar Piastri’s season has been marked by bad luck and frustration so far, with a number of DNFs marring an otherwise impressive run of top-five finishes.

Luckily for Piastri, McLaren’s mid-season upgrades appear to be having the desired effect. Expect the Australian to challenge for podiums after the summer break—so long as Carlos Sainz stays out of his way.

Gabriel Bortoleto

Gabriel Bortoleto picked up where he left off at the end of his impressive rookie campaign, scoring points in the opening race of 2026 in Australia. Having now driven his Audi into the points three times this season, he is also outperforming teammate Nico Hülkenberg.

If the Brazilian continues to progress during his second season, Audi could be challenging Racing Bulls to become the best of the rest by the end of the year.

Pierre Gasly

Alpine has come on leaps and bounds in 2026. After finishing last in the Constructors’ Championship the previous year, the French team is now firmly in the middle of the pack, with Pierre Gasly leading the charge.

The veteran Driver will be looking to close the narrow gap between himself and Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson during the second half of the season.

Oliver Bearman

After finishing in the points seven times during his rookie campaign, Oliver Bearman has endured something of a sophomore slump in 2026 as Haas struggles for pace.

However, with the American team able to benefit from Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities (ADUO), the British Driver could have the chance to return to the points before the year is out.

Franco Colapinto

Franco Colapinto could find himself fighting for his Formula 1® future during the second half of 2026, with Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen remaining coy about the Argentine’s prospects in recent weeks.

On the bright side, Alpine will receive two opportunities to improve through ADUO, potentially giving Colapinto the performance boost he needs after the summer break.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s lightning-fast start to the season has encountered a few speed bumps in recent races, leaving the Italian sensation looking over his shoulder at teammate George Russell and the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton.

The worrying prospect for the chasing pack is just how much Antonelli could still improve behind the wheel of the Mercedes. If the youngster can tidy up his lines during the second half of the season—and avoid exceeding track limits along the way—he could establish an insurmountable advantage long before the season reaches its climax.

Isack Hadjar

Isack Hadjar has impressed in the second Red Bull this year, putting together a strong sequence of top-six finishes heading into the summer break.

If he maintains that form, the young Frenchman could cement his place as Max Verstappen’s understudy for next season and beyond.

Arvid Lindblad

Arvid Lindblad has belied his rookie status by scoring points for Racing Bulls in seven races this season.

While his more experienced teammate remains ahead of him in the Drivers’ Championship, Lindblad will be hot on Liam Lawson’s heels after the summer break as he looks to prove that he is ready for a place in the senior Red Bull team—should Max Verstappen opt for a change of scenery.

Unlock the Paddock Picks in F1® Clash

The Paddock Picks Special Editions will be available for Players to unlock through a variety of sources, including Crates, Pit Pass, Objectives, Offers, The Paddock and more.

Will you back one of the season’s established performers or unlock an underdog ready to break through?

Who will be your 2026 Paddock Pick in F1® Clash?

Join the discussion on our Discord server:https://discord.com/invite/F1Clash