Beyond the lap times
In-depth Formula 1 analysis: race strategy, tyre degradation, long-run pace and the data behind every result, explained clearly for fans of all levels.
Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 championship at age 20 after winning nine grands prix this season. Mercedes technical director James Allison attributed the Italian driver's success to his adventurous use of steering wheel settings to manage car handling and tyre wear.
Ralf Schumacher suggests George Russell will occupy a secondary role similar to Rubens Barrichello after Kimi Antonelli took the lead in the standings. While Helmut Marko claims Antonelli is now the number one driver, Toto Wolff defends Russell's importance to the Mercedes team.
Kimi Antonelli clinched the drivers' title in Mexico as Mercedes secured the constructors' championship in Brazil. Despite the double victory, Mercedes only outscored Red Bull by one point since the summer break as technical regulations drive parity among the top teams.
Max Verstappen gained 14 positions in five laps to finish second at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, a recovery Red Bull principal Laurent Mekies says no simulator could predict. The result secures his second place in the Drivers' Championship with 279 points, trailing Kimi Antonelli by 111 points.
Fernando Alonso finished 12th at the Brazilian Grand Prix after front wing damage from Oliver Bearman. Despite the setback, he noted the AMR26 was competitive in wet conditions, losing only four tenths per lap to Mercedes drivers.
Mercedes claimed its ninth constructors championship at Interlagos, ending an eight-year gap since 2021. Engineering director Andrew Shovlin stated that the new budget cap makes repeating the previous dominance impossible, forcing the team to focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.
Mercedes will prioritize George Russell for the 2026 F1 runner-up spot after securing the constructors' title in Sao Paulo. Despite both drivers missing the podium due to car issues, Russell remains one point ahead of Lewis Hamilton with three races left.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history at 20 years old after securing the title at the Mexico Grand Prix. He finished the campaign with nine Grand Prix victories, breaking the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel.
McLaren lost podium opportunities in Mexico City as Lando Norris struggled in dirty air behind George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, Honda confirmed that Aston Martin's power unit faced unexpected cooling stress at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
Martin Brundle observes Oscar Piastri struggling to adapt to 2026 regulations after a strong 2025 season. Piastri currently sits seventh in the standings, trailing championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 221 points as McLaren faces car adaptability issues.
Fred Vasseur dismissed claims that wind affected Ferrari performance after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton failed to secure pole at the United States Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli took pole position, while Leclerc finished fourth despite showing significant pace during practice sessions.
Oscar Piastri believes McLaren will not find magic answers for its performance issues before the 2026 season ends. Team principal Andrea Stella suggests underlying problems with the MCL40 may not be resolved until the 2027 car, leaving McLaren with a narrow 7 point lead over Red Bull.
Max Verstappen secured consecutive victories in Sepang and Singapore, signaling a Red Bull resurgence ahead of the United States Grand Prix. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff expects this momentum to spark a full-on fight against the field heading into the 2027 season.