What Mercedes' rivals got so badly wrong in F1 2026

Kimi Antonelli has dominated the 2026 Formula 1 season, claiming eight grand prix victories from 14 starts and building a commanding championship lead. His closest rivals, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, have effectively conceded the title race following a disappointing Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, with Russell's last win coming in Austria six races prior and Hamilton's at Barcelona before that. McLaren's Lando Norris sits a further five points behind Hamilton but has struggled for consistency, managing only three podiums in a ten-race stretch earlier in the season.