What Mercedes' rivals got so badly wrong in F1 2026

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have all but conceded the 2026 Formula 1 title to Kimi Antonelli after a frustrating Spanish Grand Prix. Antonelli's eighth win in 14 races leaves Russell 81 points behind and Hamilton 101 adrift, and both Mercedes drivers admit catching their teammate is 'exceptionally unlikely'.

Why it matters:

What was supposed to be a multi-team fight under new regulations has become a one-man show. The reasons for the collapse of Mercedes' rivals reveal deeper structural and strategic issues across the grid.

The big picture:

Ferrari peaked too soon, sacrificing engine performance for chassis gains and losing political battles over startline rules and ADUO upgrades. Its season has unravelled into familiar driver politics. McLaren started late after focusing on its 2025 title fight, only now finding pace with two wins in four races for Norris. Red Bull is still paying for that 2025 push, with a weak energy recovery system and a car that mysteriously degrades through a weekend. Aston Martin and Williams overpromised and underdelivered: Newey's late arrival and overweight cars doomed Aston, while Williams chose the same wrong high-rake concept and now calls 2026 'a wasted year'.

What's next:

With nine races and 233 points still available, no one expects a comeback. The focus shifts to 2027, where McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari hope to fix their flaws. But for now, Antonelli and Mercedes are running away with both championships.