Mercedes opened 2026 looking untouchable, and Kimi Antonelli's 134-point championship lead says they still are — but the gap is closing. Formula1.com's data dive shows Red Bull staging the sharpest turnaround, going from more than a one-percent qualifying deficit to Mercedes in Japan to outpacing everyone in Malaysia. Ferrari's been the picture of consistency, yet they keep leaving time on the table: in Singapore their ideal lap had two-tenths on the field, but Verstappen still took pole. McLaren has swung wildly depending on the track, hampered by a straight-line speed problem that derailed them after Norris's strong start.
Behind the big four, Haas continues to frustrate. The American squad peaked at Monza but otherwise bounced between mediocrity and disaster, the inconsistency a weekly theme. Aston Martin threw 16 upgrades at Hungary and climbed off the canvas. Cadillac remains adrift, still three percent off the pace. With six rounds left, Mercedes can't afford to coast.
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