F1 2026 Standings: Antonelli Leads After Japan
The 2026 Formula 1 season has delivered early surprises following the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, with rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli maintaining the lead in the Drivers’ Championship.
The young Italian driver for Mercedes currently sits atop the standings with 72 points, ahead of teammate George Russell on 63 points. Ferrari has shown strong form, placing third and fourth with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Here are the latest F1 2026 standings (updated as of early April 2026, following the Japanese Grand Prix):
F1 2026 Drivers’ Championship Standings
| Position | Driver | Nationality | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | ITA | Mercedes | 72 |
| 2 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes | 63 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Ferrari | 49 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Ferrari | 41 |
| 5 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren | 25 |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | AUS | McLaren | 21 |
| 7 | Oliver Bearman | GBR | Haas | 17 |
| 8 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | Alpine | 15 |
| 9 | Max Verstappen | NED | Red Bull | 12 |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | NZL | Racing Bulls | 10 |
| 11 | Arvid Lindblad | GBR | – | 4 |
| 12 | Isack Hadjar | FRA | – | 4 |
| 13 | Gabriel Bortoleto | BRA | – | 2 |
| 14 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | – | 2 |
| 15 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | – | 1 |
Key Drivers’ Highlights:
- Mercedes has dominated the early races, with Antonelli securing multiple victories including the recent Japanese Grand Prix.
- Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari continues to generate attention, as the seven-time champion and Charles Leclerc push the Italian team into strong contention.
- Defending elements from previous seasons face challenges: Max Verstappen sits in ninth place with just 12 points as Red Bull struggles with the 2026 regulations.
- Emerging talents such as Oliver Bearman (Haas) and others are making significant impacts in their respective teams.
F1 2026 Constructors’ Championship Standings
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 135 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 90 |
| 3 | McLaren | 46 |
| 4 | Haas F1 Team | 18 |
| 5 | Alpine | 16 |
| 6 | Red Bull Racing | 16 |
| 7 | Racing Bulls | 14 |
| 8 | Audi | 2 |
Mercedes leads the Constructors’ Championship comfortably with 135 points, followed by Ferrari in second. McLaren holds third, while several teams including Haas and Alpine are showing competitive pace in the midfield.
Season Context So Far
The 2026 F1 season began in March with the Australian Grand Prix. Key early events included races in Australia, China, and Japan. The Japanese Grand Prix (27–29 March 2026) saw Kimi Antonelli take the win ahead of Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
The next major event is the Miami Grand Prix (1–3 May 2026), which features a Sprint weekend and is expected to provide further clarity on the championship battle amid new technical regulations introduced for 2026.
Global Implications
The 2026 season features significant regulation changes, including new power unit designs and chassis developments, aimed at improving sustainability and closer racing. These shifts have reshaped team performances and opened opportunities for younger drivers.
Teams and manufacturers from across Europe, the United States, and beyond continue to invest heavily, with Audi’s entry adding further competitive depth to the grid.
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