Hamilton Backed to Challenge for Historic Eighth F1 Title

Lewis Hamilton is back in a genuine Formula 1 title fight for the first time since 2021. The seven-time champion sits second in the 2026 standings on 169 points, trailing Kimi Antonelli by 50, and fresh polling suggests most fans believe he can still secure that elusive record-breaking eighth crown.

Why it matters:

Hamilton hasn't mounted a serious title challenge since the controversial Abu Dhabi finale in 2021. Years of Mercedes struggles under the ground-effect rules and a rocky adaptation to Ferrari left his legacy in a strange limbo. Now, with the SF-26 giving him consistent front-running machinery, the 41-year-old has a real shot at silencing the doubters and rewriting the record books.

The details:

• Through 11 rounds, Hamilton has finished every race in the points without dropping below sixth, scoring a victory in Barcelona plus four podiums.
• Antonelli leads the championship with six wins, but his 50-point advantage is far from insurmountable with 11 or 12 rounds still remaining.
• Ferrari's SF-26 has proven a competitive proposition under the 2026 regulations, a welcome change from the uncompetitive machinery Hamilton endured in recent seasons.
• An overwhelming majority of RacingNews365 readers polled believe Hamilton is a genuine contender, while only a small fraction feel Antonelli already has the championship sewn up.

What's next:

The season resumes at Zandvoort on August 23, giving Hamilton his next opportunity to eat into Antonelli's lead. With plenty of racing left and his Ferrari reliably bringing home strong results, this title fight looks set to run deep into the autumn. If consistency holds, Hamilton could well be battling for that eighth crown right down to the wire.