Antonelli leads with 292 points, but Russell, Hamilton, Norris, Leclerc and Verstappen keep their mathematical chances. Piastri, Hadjar, Lawson and Gasly complete the list of contenders before the Azerbaijani event.
The 2026 Drivers' Championship is not decided. With several races left until the end of the season, nine drivers still keep mathematical chances of taking the title, a scenario that reflects the extreme competitiveness of the current grid and that promises strong emotions in the final stretch of the calendar. The lead belongs to Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian Mercedes driver who has surprised friends and strangers alike with a season of the highest level.
Kimi Antonelli accumulates 292 points, a figure that places him in a privileged position. The Italian, barely 20 years old, has shown a maturity unbecoming of his age and has managed his advantage with intelligence, adding victories and podiums consistently. His teammate, George Russell, is his most immediate pursuer with 211 points although his current form is very different. The Briton has had an irregular season with moments of great speed and others of difficulty adapting to the W17, but he keeps his mathematical options alive.
Lewis Hamilton, with 191 points, occupies third position. The seven time world champion in his second season with Ferrari, has shown flashes of his best version, including a victory in Barcelona, but the lack of consistency of the SF-26 has distanced him from the fight for the lead. Lando Norris with 186 points, is fourth, the 2025 world champion has had a complicated start to the season but has reacted with two consecutive victories in Hungary GP and Zandvoort Grand PRix that keep him in the fight.
Charles Leclerc, with 167 points and Max Verstappen with 145, complete the group of drivers with more remote but still real options. The Monegasque has been a victim of Ferrari's irregularity and of some mistakes of his own while the Dutchman has had to deal with an RB22 that is not at the level of his direct rivals, despite the difficulties, both are drivers capable of stringing together exceptional results and cannot be completely ruled out.
The list of contenders is completed with Oscar Piastri (120 points), Isack Hadjar (71), Liam Lawson (59) and Pierre Gasly (41). The Australian from McLaren has had a disappointing season, far from the performance of his teammate Lando Norris. Hadjar for his part, has surprised in his first season with Red Bull although a wrist injury has kept him away from the tracks in the last races. Lawson has taken advantage of his opportunity as a substitute with solid performances and Pierre Gasly has been one of the most consistent drivers in the midfield with Alpine.
The next event in Baku will be key to determining whether the title fight is reduced or if, on the contrary, the group of contenders is expanded. The urban circuit of Azerbaijan with its long straights and its close walls, usually delivers surprises and can alter the established order.
Antonelli starts as favorite but the history of Formula 1 is full of improbable comebacks. With nine drivers still in the running, the 2026 championship promises a thrilling outcome.
