The Grand Prix is back, so we’ve paired all 11 teams to their best-matched drink – for spectators only, of course.

All the big names are about to be back on Melbourne’s Albert Park track for this year’s Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix 2026. We’re talking Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (McLaren), George Russell (Mercedes), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – yeah, we watched Drive to Survive.

And while the 2026 F1 driver line-up is vastly similar to the 2025 season (if it ain’t broke, right?), Cadillac will debut as the 11th F1 team, led by Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez (who both return after a year off competing), making Cadillac the first new team on the grid in 10 years (since Haas’ debut in 2016). Over at Red Bull, Max Verstappen has a new teammate in Isack Hadjar (who just graduated from sister team, Racing Bulls), and 18-year-old rookie Arvid Lindblad got the call-up to replace Isack at Racing Bulls.

If you’re heading to the GP, don’t forget your ear plugs (and sunscreen), but if you’re watching your team from home, then strap in, because we’ve matched all 11 F1 teams to drink recipes that you can mix up (or crack open) from the comfort of your couch.

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1. McLaren as an Aperol Spritz

McLaren, everyone’s favourite team (it’s true, they did a survey), are the reigning team champs. Will Lando Norris take the top spot again in 2026? We’d say (with absolutely no F1 authority at all) that it’s highly likely. This is McLaren’s 61st F1 season and the fourth season that Lando and Oscar Piastri have been teammates. There’s no question that McLaren is the IT team of F1, and an IT team needs an IT drink. Enter: the Aperol Spritz – and the shiny new MCL40 that has been designed for the 2026 season (and let’s not forget about the team colour, it’s papaya orange, FYI). The Aperol Spritz, like McLaren, is everywhere. It’s a little bitter – some could say those were the rebuilding years – and a little sweet, like the taste of victory. The Belvino Prosecco DOC brings the fizz, or the rizz, which we think is pretty self-explanatory.

2. Mercedes as a Martini

Toto Wolff fans unite – the silver arrows are back, baby, and so are George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Mercedes is undeniably a Classic Martini, and before you even ask, it’s gin. Mercedes brings that old money, quiet luxury, and relies on quality over quantity – much like the two-ingredient Martini. We’re using the ultra-premium Tanqueray No. Ten Batch Distilled Gin; it’s made from whole citrus fruits like limes, oranges and pink grapefruits, and is distilled in Tanqueray’s 500L Tiny Ten copper still. If the No. Ten is your engine, the Noilly Prat Original French Dry Vermouth is the chassis (after all, a Martini is only as good as its vermouth).

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A bottle of the Rivetto Barolo Serralunga d'Alba Barolo

3. Ferrari as a Barolo

Ferrari (AKA the prancing horse) is the OG race team, in fact, it’s the only team to have appeared in every F1 season (that’s 76 years). Ferrari’s drivers are Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton – talk about a dream duo. So, with all that in mind, we’re going Italian, we’re going expensive, we’re going traditional – we’re going with a Barolo. And not just any Barolo – we want power, structure and longevity, so it has to be the Rivetto Barolo Serralunga d'Alba. Made from nebbiolo, it’s ruby red in the glass, not unlike the colour of the SF-26 that’s been built to break Ferrari’s Championship drought. You can expect notes of rose petals, violets, a little truffle, cherries and plum.

$94.99 each

4. Red Bull as a Jalapeño Margarita

Now, we know what you’re thinking: Vodka Red Bull. And while you’re not wrong, we think we can do better, especially with the new additions we’re welcoming in 2026. Max Verstappen, who’s been racing for Red Bull since 2016 and finished second on the Melbourne podium last year, will partner up with Isack Hadjar, who’s just graduated to the senior team from the Racing Bulls. Laurent Mekies will debut at the helm as team principal. A new outfit means things are bound to be spicy, so it has to be the Jalapeño Margarita for us. This Marg riff is a masterclass in balance and flavour. We love Altos Plata Tequila – it’s clean, versatile and hard-working – paired with Vok Triple Sec. Just don’t forget the jalapeños.

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The Clarified Paper Plane is a sophisticated cocktail

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5. Racing Bulls as a Clarified Paper Plane

The Racing Bulls, the younger sibling to Red Bull, are kicking off 2026 with a new-look team, as New Zealand’s Liam Lawson is joined by Arvid Lindblad (who will be the only rookie on the grid). Part Italian, part Austrian-American, the Racing Bulls is a team focused on next-gen talent, which we think makes them a Clarified Paper Plane. We love a Paper Plane cocktail, but if we’re talking next gen, it has to be our clarified version. We’ve kept the spice of the OG, but added a transparent look with a smooth-as-hell texture. You’ll need bourbon – we’re using Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as a nod to the American influence – while Aperol and Montenegro Amaro Montenegro Italiano pay homage to its Italian base. And let’s not forget that the Clarified Paper Plane is named after an object that flies because ‘Red Bull gives you…’

6. Williams as an unpretentious beer

Much like Lady Di was the people’s princess, Williams is the people’s team (and everyone loves an underdog). The core reason for Williams’ existence is racing – it’s a team that’s built on family legacy, grit and will power. Spanish driver Carlos Sainz joined Williams in 2025 and will return this year, alongside Alexander Albon. A working-class hero calls for one thing: a good, honest, cold beer (especially after a long day in the garage), and we can’t look past the nostalgic Melbourne Bitter. No frills, this is just a clean, fruity, malty beer with a hint of caramel that everyone wants to see win.

$60.99 case (24)

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7. Aston Martin as a Vesper

While we debate who will be the next James Bond (it’s Jacob Elordi, right?), there’s no need to debate who’s driving for Aston Martin with an unchanged duo in Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. Speaking of James Bond, Aston Martin is absolutely a Vesper Martini (and Bond’s OG Martini – you might remember it from Casino Royale). It’s a little sweet and a little bitter, but the best news about this Martini? You don’t have to choose between gin or vodka because a Vesper calls for both. We’re using Greenall's Original London Dry Gin as the hero, with support from the Belvedere x Formula 1 Limited Edition Vodka (because how could we not?!), and vermouth (we love Martini Bianco). And remember, it’s stirred not shaken.

8. Haas as a Whisky Highball

This is not just any Whisky Highball – a Japanese Whisky Highball, inspired by Haas’ expanded partnership with Toyota (yes, the masters of the Corolla and Camry). The Japanese-founded brand is now backing the American team (the official race name is ‘Toyota Gazoo Racing Haas F1 Team’). Driving for Haas is Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon with Ayao Komatsu returning as team principal for his third season. Like Haas, the Whisky Highball is efficient and refreshing, and with only two ingredients, there’s nowhere to hide. Toki Blended Japanese Whisky was blended specifically for the Highball, with notes of basil, honey and green apple. You'll taste grapefruit, grapes, peppermint and thyme with a spicy finish that comes from vanilla oak, ginger and white pepper.

The Whisky Highball is a crisp and refresing, simple cocktail

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The Schloss-Vollrads Qualitätswein Riesling is from Germany

9. Audi as a German riesling

Audi is joining the grid. You might also know this team as Kick Sauber, but from this season, teammates Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto will be driving under the Audi brand (with a shiny new factory-works glow-up). Naturally, a German luxury brand needs a German riesling, and that’s where Schloss-Vollrads Qualitätswein Riesling comes in. It’s vibrant, crisp and balanced with notes of green apple, nashi pear and a little lemon zest. Like Audi, Qualitätswein is lean and fast with its trademark acidity.

$29.99 each

10. Alpine as a Sidecar

Alpine (née Renault) is entering a new era in 2026 with Mercedes engines and Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto behind the wheel, but in good news, the new A526 will retain the blue and pink colour palette. Speaking of cars, we reckon Alpine is a sure-fire Sidecar. Think a Sour, but a little sweeter with a lick of orange. You’ll need Cognac – go top-self and use a Reserve or V.S.O.P (Very Superior Old Pale) for the best results (we’re using Monnet VSOP Cognac) – along with triple sec (we love Luxardo), sugar syrup and lemon juice.

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11. Cadillac as a bourbon

Cadillac is the new kid on the block (sorry, grid), and the first new team in a decade. The drivers? Comeback kings Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez, who both spent 2025 off the track. Cadillac is a classic, and unapologetically American, so this team demands a drink that can go toe to toe with that attitude – it has to be Jim Beam. In fact, the all-American Jim Beam is an official sponsor of Cadillac; talk about the perfect match. Jim Beam’s White Label Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey was first distilled in 1795, the family recipe is aged for four years, and is layered with vanilla, caramel, oak and a little spice. Sip it on the rocks or mix it into one of these great cocktails.

$45.95 Each