Mid-season review: rising stars, rule woes and team turnarounds in F1 2026

The first half of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign has delivered several clear narratives. Kimi Antonelli, now 19, has taken a decisive lead over George Russell at Mercedes, turning what was expected to be Russell's year into Antonelli's breakout. The season's sweeping technical overhaul, especially the hybrid power-unit split, has been condemned for starving cars of energy, leading to frequent “yo-yo” battles and prompting the FIA to adjust the formula after just three races.

Lewis Hamilton, after a difficult 2025 with Ferrari, has rebounded strongly, currently trailing Antonelli by 50 points and challenging teammate Charles Leclerc. Aston Martin, long-rumored to be a contender, finally posted a competitive lap after a major aerodynamic and weight reduction package, with a new Honda engine slated for the Dutch Grand Prix. Conversely, Williams entered the year with high hopes but delivered a heavy, under-performing car that left them near the back of the grid despite the best engine on the grid, prompting team principal James Vowles to call the setback a necessary crisis for future progress.