Ferrari appears increasingly well placed to secure second in the Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship, but the battle behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers’ standings remains wide open. While the Mercedes driver could become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history as early as the 2026 United States Grand Prix at Austin, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Max Verstappen and Lando Norris are still separated by relatively small margins in the fight behind him.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is moving ever closer to a historic World Championship triumph. The Italian Mercedes driver could seal the title at Austin and, in doing so, become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. Behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli and the Mercedes W17, however, the situation is far less settled, with several major positions still to be decided during the closing stages of the season.
Ferrari favourite for second in the Constructors’ Championship
The clearest picture appears to be in the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari, helped in part by McLaren’s costly mistakes over the most recent race weekends, is now in a strong position to finish the season as runner-up.
The Maranello team holds a 104-point advantage over the reigning champions with six Grands Prix remaining. That number could become five if Qatar and Abu Dhabi were cancelled and Imola added to the schedule. The remaining rounds and dates can be followed through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
McLaren therefore has more reason to look behind than ahead. Max Verstappen’s two victories between Sepang and Singapore have brought Red Bull back into contention, leaving the team only seven points away from third place in the Constructors’ Championship. The changing competitive picture can also be explored through Ferrari’s comparison with its Formula 1 rivals, which tracks the Scuderia against Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and the rest of the grid.
Five-driver fight behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli
The Drivers’ Championship is considerably more chaotic. Only 38 points separate George Russell in second place from Lando Norris in sixth, leaving five drivers firmly involved in the battle for the positions behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
George Russell and Lando Norris have both lost momentum over the latest race weekends, while the prospects of Charles Leclerc and, above all, Max Verstappen have improved significantly.
Max Verstappen surge puts Lewis Hamilton under pressure
Max Verstappen is producing another remarkable late-season recovery, reminiscent of the comeback he nearly completed in 2025. This time, however, the target is not the World Championship but second place in the standings.
After Zandvoort, Max Verstappen was sixth in the championship, six points ahead of seventh-placed Oscar Piastri and 71 points behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who were level in second. Less than two months later, Max Verstappen has climbed to fourth and is now only 17 points behind George Russell.
Lewis Hamilton has also surrendered more points than he would have wanted during this phase of the season, and his third place in the Drivers’ Championship is now under serious pressure. Ferrari may therefore be close to securing second in the Constructors’ standings while still facing a genuine risk of finishing the season without either Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc inside the top three of the Drivers’ Championship.
Everything will be decided over the final six Grands Prix — or five if the proposed calendar changes take place. The World Championship itself may not be the prize at stake in this particular battle, but there will still be no shortage of intrigue during the final stretch of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
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