Our writers reflect on the 2026 season so far

As the 2026 F1 season hits the summer break, experts have reviewed the first half, highlighting Lewis Hamilton’s emotional victory for Ferrari in Barcelona as a standout moment. Kimi Antonelli has emerged as the clear championship leader, with Hamilton and Isack Hadjar also receiving praise for their resurgence and adaptability, respectively. Looking toward the second half of the year, there is strong momentum behind Antonelli to secure the world title, despite the competitive field. Analysts also highlighted the impressive development of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad at Racing Bulls, while noting that Williams faces significant pressure to improve its car performance following a disappointing start to the campaign.