Antonelli warns: Mercedes 'clearly not the fastest car anymore'

Kimi Antonelli remains the undisputed F1 championship leader, but the Mercedes driver has delivered a blunt verdict: the Silver Arrows no longer have the fastest car. After winning the first six races of 2026, Mercedes has seen its edge erode, and Lando Norris' Zandvoort victory was the clearest sign yet that the order has shifted.

Why it matters:

Mercedes' admission signals a pivotal shift in the title fight. McLaren's development leap since Hungary has made it the benchmark, and with Norris winning back-to-back, the championship lead could come under threat. Mercedes still holds a 59-point margin for Antonelli and an 87-point constructors' buffer over Ferrari, but the numbers are starting to conceal an uncomfortable reality.

The details:

• Norris converted pole into his second straight win, with McLaren's heavily revised MCL40 looking strong in the Netherlands.
• Antonelli settled for second, ahead of George Russell, but admitted: "We're clearly not the fastest car anymore. We're probably second or third."
• He pointed to McLaren's "huge step" since Hungary, especially on high-degradation circuits that suit Norris.
• Mercedes is preparing a major development package, and Antonelli is confident it will restore the balance: "They just want to make sure it works out well once we put it on."

What's next:

Russell offered a less gloomy view, noting that Monza's lower-degradation layout should provide a different test. But he also warned that Ferrari has an engine upgrade incoming, adding uncertainty. If Antonelli is right, Mercedes' greatest asset may no longer be the current car—but the sizeable upgrade they are counting on to regain the upper hand.