Before the action resumes at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo picks out a few numbers to explain the key learning and takeaways from the turbulent start to the 2026 F1 season.
The opening two races of the 2026 Formula 1 season have already delivered a fascinating mix of expected strengths, surprising weaknesses, and early‑season storylines that hint at how this new era may unfold.
With Australia and China now complete, the championship picture is beginning to take shape — and it looks very different from the final years of the previous regulations.
Dominant force – The most striking takeaway is Mercedes’ commanding start. George Russell leads the drivers’ standings with 51 points after a win in Australia and a strong second place in China, while rookie Kimi Antonelli sits just behind him on 47 points thanks to a victory in Shanghai.
Over 30 points – Russell and Antonelli’s combined results give Mercedes a clear lead in the constructors’ standings with 98 points — more than 30 ahead of Ferrari.
The early evidence suggests that Mercedes has adapted superbly to the new 2026 power unit regulations, with both Russell and Antonelli showing strong pace, consistency, and race‑craft. For Antonelli in particular, this is a remarkable debut: a win, a podium, and immediate proof that he belongs at the front of Formula One.
A heavily-improved form – Ferrari, meanwhile, find themselves in a solid but not yet threatening position. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sit third and fourth in the standings, separated by a single point, and both have shown competitive but not race‑winning pace.
Ferrari’s car appears quick over a lap and stable in race trim, but lacking the final edge that Mercedes currently enjoys. Still, with 67 points in the constructors’ standings, they are clearly the second‑strongest team — and with development expected to be aggressive this year, the Scuderia is far from out of the fight.
Struggles for the defending champions – Behind the top two teams, the picture becomes more fragmented. McLaren’s start has been turbulent: Lando Norris scored points in Australia and finished fourth in the Shanghai F1 Sprint, but Oscar Piastri has suffered two DNS results, leaving the team with only 18 points.
Never expected start – Haas, surprisingly, sit just one point behind McLaren thanks to Oliver Bearman’s strong performances and a consistent start for the team.
Red Bull, on the other hand, have endured a disastrous opening to the season. Max Verstappen has just eight points after a sixth place and a retirement, while his new team-mate Isack Hadjar scored a total of four points in China. With only 12 points in the constructors’ standings, Red Bull finds itself in unfamiliar territory — fifth place, tied with the Racing Bulls.
Neck and neck – The midfield is tightly packed, with Alpine, Audi, and Williams all scoring small but valuable points. The Enstone-based outfit managed to finish in the points with both their cars last time out in Shanghai which sees them only fractionally behind Red Bull.
Pointsless – At the back, Aston Martin’s struggles are stark. Four retirements leave the team with zero points, a dramatic fall from the heights they reached just a few seasons ago. Cadillac‑Ferrari also remain point‑less, while Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez have yet to break into the top ten.
Two races are never enough to define a season, but they do reveal patterns — and the early pattern of 2026 is clear. Mercedes has emerged as the benchmark of the new era, Ferrari is close but not close enough, and the rest of the field is scrambling to understand the new regulations and unlock performance. With Japan up next, the question is whether anyone can halt Mercedes’ momentum, or whether Russell and Antonelli will continue to set the tone for what could become a defining season for the Silver Arrows.
