5 things to look forward to in the second half of 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes this month with five key storylines to watch, including a tight championship battle and midfield recovery efforts.
Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with a 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton after six wins in the first half, positioning him to potentially become the youngest champion in F1 history. Mercedes’ rivals, including Ferrari and McLaren, have closed the gap with recent victories, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen remains a consistent contender in the top three. The tight competition suggests the title race will remain unpredictable through the season’s conclusion.
Ferrari and McLaren have emerged as Mercedes’ strongest competitors, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc securing wins in Barcelona and Silverstone respectively, while Lando Norris claimed his first world title victory in Hungary. McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella noted that upgrade packages will determine the outcome of the championship, emphasizing the ongoing development race among top teams. The midfield battle has also intensified, with Aston Martin and Williams struggling early but introducing upgrades to improve their positions.
Aston Martin and Williams faced early-season struggles, with reliability issues and delayed upgrades hindering their performance. Aston Martin introduced fixes in Hungary, while Williams plans an upgrade for Azerbaijan in late September. Both teams aim to regain lost ground, with Honda’s contribution to Aston Martin’s updates and Williams’ scheduled improvements offering potential for recovery in the second half of the season.
The 2026 calendar includes a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on October 2–4, replacing the originally planned April event due to regional circumstances. Sepang’s return marks its first race since 2017, offering a challenging track layout with high-speed corners and variable weather, adding unpredictability to the season’s final stretch.