Three rounds into the 2026 Formula 1 season, Mercedes have re‑established themselves as the benchmark of the field. F1Technical’s senior writer Balazs Szabo looks at the standings before the action resumes at next weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
With 135 points already on the board—built on two dominant one‑two finishes in Australia and China, followed by another victory in Japan—the Brackley team hold a commanding early lead in the constructors’ championship.
Their blend of outright pace, operational sharpness, and the seamless synergy between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell has made them the standout force of the opening flyaway races.
Ferrari sit second on 90 points, a solid return that reflects consistency rather than race‑winning firepower. Podiums in Australia and China, followed by another strong haul in Japan, underline that the Scuderia have taken a clear step forward. Yet the gap to Mercedes—already 45 points—highlights the scale of the challenge ahead if they intend to mount a sustained title fight.
McLaren occupy third place with 46 points, their season defined by a slow start followed by a breakthrough in Japan. After scoring just 10 and 8 points in the opening two rounds, the team delivered a superb double‑podium in Suzuka, taking 28 points and signalling that their 2026 package is beginning to unlock its potential. If that trajectory continues, McLaren could become a disruptive force in the battle behind Mercedes.
The midfield remains tightly compressed. Haas sit fourth on 18 points, boosted by a strong Chinese Grand Prix that yielded 11 points, their best result of the season.
Alpine and Red Bull are tied on 16 points, though their paths have diverged: Alpine have scored consistently across all three races, while Red Bull’s tally comes mainly from Melbourne where they scored eight points.
Racing Bulls follow closely with 14 points, mirroring Red Bull’s pattern of early scoring. Audi and Williams each have 2 points, both teams showing flashes of competitiveness but lacking the race‑to‑race consistency needed to climb the order.
Cadillac and Aston Martin remain the only two teams yet to score.
The early narrative of 2026 is clear: Mercedes have not only returned to the front—they have done so with authority. Their 43, 55, and 37‑point hauls across the first three rounds reflect their dominant form in the early stages of the all-new technical era. Ferrari remain the closest threat, McLaren are rising, and the midfield is as volatile as ever, but the opening chapter of the season belongs unequivocally to Mercedes.
