Antonelli Tops F1 2026 Ratings, Three World Champions Left Behind

Kimi Antonelli has been the standout performer in the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season. The Italian leads the drivers' championship by 50 points over Lewis Hamilton and also tops RacingNews365's mid-season driver ratings with an impressive average score of 8.8 out of 10.

Antonelli has collected six wins, one second place, two thirds, and a Sprint victory across the opening 11 rounds. His consistency has been remarkable—his lowest score of the season is an 8, achieved in Barcelona, Austria, and Hungary. At the Monaco Grand Prix, he earned a rare perfect 10 after securing his fifth consecutive win and a grand chelem.

Behind him, three world champions have had to concede to the young driver's supremacy. Max Verstappen is the closest challenger with an average of 8.0, narrowly ahead of Lando Norris in third on 7.8. Notably, only Antonelli and Verstappen have managed to average 8.0 or higher so far this season.

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Lewis Hamilton sits fourth with an average of 7.4, losing out on countback to Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson, who share the same score. Despite a perfect 10 for his win in Barcelona, inconsistent performances in Japan, Miami, and Hungary have cost the seven-time champion a higher spot in the ratings.

Beyond the big names, there are surprises from younger drivers such as Pierre Gasly, who ranks eighth with 7.3, and Gabriel Bortoleto, who sneaks into the top 10 with 6.9. This shows that the 2026 F1 grid is not just about the top teams, but also provides opportunities for new talent to shine.

With the second half of the season still to come, Antonelli is clearly the favorite to maintain this form. However, the pressure will only intensify—especially from Verstappen and Norris, who will not give up easily. All eyes are now on the upcoming races to see if Antonelli's dominance can last until the end of the season.