Kimi Antonelli crowned F1 champion

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship with a narrow margin over three rivals.

George Russell's title hopes

George Russell was the favorite heading into 2026 but missed the title window due to reliability issues and poor performance.

Russell's challenges

Russell faced multiple reliability problems including retiring from lead in Canada and Malaysia, and a penalty in Monaco.

Russell's driving style

Russell's natural driving style was ill-suited to new regulations, with high rear tire pressures and power unit issues hindering his performance.

Ferrari's title challenge

Ferrari had strong early season performance but struggled with tire strategy and power unit deficits throughout the season.

Leclerc's title race

Leclerc faced multiple setbacks including a crash in Italy and brake failure in Madrid, ending his title hopes.

McLaren's title challenge

McLaren's MCL40 had slow-corner struggles and reliability issues, with Lando Norris dropping off after a series of setbacks.

Red Bull's title push

Red Bull improved significantly after Miami, with Verstappen becoming a consistent podium contender for 2027.

2026 title race summary

Antonelli won the championship with a narrow margin over three rivals who all missed the title window.

Russell's reflection

Russell acknowledged that this season just hasn't meant to be but emphasized no bitterness and focus on areas for improvement.

“i'll look back on the areas i could and should have done better as opposite to things out of my control or have gone against me”

Leclerc's crash

Leclerc crashed in Italy after a scrappy start, which was symptomatic of a driver stuck in a holding pattern.

Verstappen's progress

Verstappen improved significantly after Miami, becoming a consistent podium contender for 2027 despite early-season car issues.