After pre-season testing, it appears the traditional top four, Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren, will remain the frontrunners in 2026, but both Vasseur and Wolff believe the grid could “converge quite soon,” with the later even suggesting as early as “six months down the line.”

Wolff, in particular, pointed to McLaren’s “phoenix” rise in 2023, with the Woking team going from the bottom of the grid at the start of the season to consistently fighting for wins in the second half.

Speaking to media, including GPblog, the team bosses were asked how the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari still have their advantage at the front of the pack despite F1’s introduction of the cost cap in 2021.

Vasseur replied: “I don't have a clear explanation.

"The convergence of performance will arrive, but it will arrive after seasons and seasons. If you look at last year, it was probably the best season in terms of close competition, but it was also after five years of the same regulations, and probably this year, the gap will be a bit bigger.

“But we'll have some convergence, and I am sure that during the season, you will have a team catch-up who are today at the back, and they could be even faster.

"You also have the allowance of wind-tunnel time, which is making a difference during the season. I am sure that even if you start with different potential and lap-time, we will have convergence quite soon."

Wolff went even further than his good friend Vasseur, with the Austrian claiming midfield teams can quickly “turn things around” thanks to “equal opportunity for everyone.”

“Totally agree with Fred. And obviously, over the years, you gain knowledge, but there are many very competent teams and many very competent people on the grid.

“You can see how quickly you can turn things around. McLaren was really struggling for some years, and then, within a couple of races, the team reemerged like a phoenix, and it has been winning championships since then.

“So there's always equal opportunity for everyone. Someone who is in the midfield today or is not as competitive as they would wish to be, who knows six months down the line where they could be.”

Looking to catch up to Mercedes and Ferrari are McLaren, with team principal Andrea Stella looking forward to his team "finally put cards on the table" in Melbourne this weekend.

The Italian boss eagerly anticipates an "exciting but complex challenge" having previously admitted the papaya team start 2026 somewhat on the back foot.