Mercedes is back on top of the Formula One landscape, but there's work left to do if they want to secure both Drivers' and Constructors' championships.
Right from the shakedown test at Barcelona in January, the entire F1 paddock took notice of Mercedes's pace. Come February during the Bahrain pre-season testing, it was confirmed. The Silver Arrows have nailed the new regulations.
Mercedes would go on to dominate the first six races of the 2026 F1 calendar, building enough cushion to lead the standings heading into the summer break.
But Mercedes Deputy Technical Director Simone Resta mentioned that the championship changes in the second half of the season. The team can't get comfortable right now, especially with Ferrari and McLaren coming in hot.
Still, Mercedes's 72-point lead in the team standings is nothing short of remarkable, despite the ups and downs of their current campaign.
The Highs
1. Kimi Antonelli displaying his generational talent
Sure, he has an excellent car underneath, but it still takes a good driver to make it work. And yes, he has a 59-point lead over his more experienced teammate.
We're talking about the 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who has shown why Toto Wolff was very quick to put him in an F1 seat.
With 219 points midway through the season, the Italian driver is leading the Drivers' Championship by 50 points over current second-placer Lewis Hamilton.
After finishing right behind teammate George Russell in the season opener Australian Grand Prix, Antonelli broke out of his shell and won the next five races. He DNF'd in Barcelona and didn't score points in Silverstone, before winning again in Belgium.
11 races. Six wins. Three podium finishes. Not bad for a sophomore F1 driver who hasn't even turned 20 yet.
2. Their superb qualifying pace
Save for Lando Norris of McLaren's pole position in Hungary, Mercedes has been virtually unbeatable on a Saturday. They've won 10 out of 11 qualifying sessions, flexing the WR17's incredible one-lap pace.
Mercedes already has a very sustainable race trim. Combine that with their fundamentally quick qualifying pace, and it's no surprise why they're on top of the grid right now.
The Lows
1. George Russell's car reliability issues
This was supposed to be George Russell's year. In his fifth season with Mercedes, the British driver finally has a dominant car underneath him.
The 28-year-old Russell did just that at the start, topping qualifying in Australia and winning the race. But Russell would be overshadowed by his teammate in the next six races.
More concerning, Russell's car would encounter reliability issues that resulted in a couple of DNFs, along with a no-point finish in Monaco.
In June, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff criticized the WR17's reliability, saying that it's "not good enough." Truth be told, they're just giving away points on both championships
2. They're not untouchable anymore
It's always massive to get a jumpstart on the first year of the new regulations. But the thing is, other teams will eventually catch up, given their testing rounds and technical expertise.
After winning the first six races of the year, Mercedes treaded lukewarm waters midway through the season. They've only won two of the last five races, with Ferrari taking Barcelona and Great Britain, and McLaren emerging victorious in Hungary.
In the most recent qualifying session in the Hungarian Grand Prix, Mercedes didn't even finish in the Top 3. Prior to that weekend, they topped all Q3 sessions.
Ferrari and McLaren are closing in. Mercedes would be lying if they're not feeling any pressure.
What to watch in the second half
Despite a 72-point lead in the championship, Mercedes will be hard-pressed to further develop their car. They need to hold off Ferrari and McLaren, who are reportedly staying aggressive in developing their current challengers.
Moreover, the 19-year-old Antonelli has a seven-time World Champion chasing him. He only has a 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari's home race at Monza is just around the corner.
If Mercedes brings out a reliable car in Monza, makes a statement, and takes the win, they might just have one hand secured on both championships.
