Formula 1 2026 mid-season review: The biggest winners, losers and surprises so far
The 2026 Formula 1 season has reached its halfway point, and the first campaign under the sport's new regulations has already delivered plenty of storylines.
Mercedes have emerged as the class of the field after getting the new rules right from the start, while 19-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli has established himself as the championship favourite in just his second season in Formula 1.
Ferrari have also taken a significant step forward, Red Bull have struggled to keep pace with their rivals and Aston Martin have endured a disappointing first half of the year despite high expectations.
With 11 races complete and 12 still to come, here's a look at the biggest talking points from the 2026 season so far.
F1 news: Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton heads to Silverstone with renewed belief as Jenson Button predicts British GP breakthrough
Lewis Hamilton arrives at Silverstone with growing confidence after a strong run of form in his early Ferrari career.
Former team-mate Jenson Button believes the seven-time world champion is well positioned to challenge for victory at his home Grand Prix.
With momentum building after recent podiums and a breakthrough win in Barcelona, Hamilton’s weekend carries real significance for his season, writes Sports News Blitz’s Noah Ngcobo.
F1 news: Lewis Hamilton secures maiden Ferrari win at Barcelona GP as Kimi Antonelli forced to retire
Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden Ferrari win at the Barcelona Grand Prix on Sunday as Mercedes’ winning streak came to an end after Drivers’ Championship leader Kimi Antonelli retired and George Russell finished in P2.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses the key takeaways from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Takeaways from the 2026 Chinese GP - Kimi Antonelli’s maiden Grand Prix win, Lewis Hamilton’s first podium in red and a double McLaren DNS
Kimi Antonelli claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory after winning the Chinese Grand Prix as Mercedes showed blistering pace yet again.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses the takeaways from the second race of the 2026 F1 season.
F1 News: Five talking points ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix
The 2026 Formula One season heads to Shanghai this weekend for the next chapter of what is already shaping up to be a fascinating title fight.
After a dramatic opening race in Melbourne, where George Russell led a dominant Mercedes one two, several storylines are beginning to emerge as teams prepare for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Australian GP takeaways: Mercedes set the benchmark, Ferrari close behind and Arvid Lindblad shines
The opening race weekend of the new F1 season saw George Russell win the season opener, converting pole position into a race-winning Mercedes one-two with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Despite the pressure from Ferrari on the Silver Arrows, the first race of the season showed the potential of the Prancing Horse and a promising rookie debut.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu discusses the takeaways from the Australian Grand Prix.
F1 news: Mercedes’ pre-season momentum sets up George Russell’s bid for Drivers’ Championship
As Formula 1 enters its most transformative season in years, all eyes are on Mercedes driver George Russell and his opportunity to fulfil the immense promise he has shown since arriving in F1.
With sweeping technical changes and fresh momentum at Mercedes, 2026 could be the year Russell transitions from contender to title challenger, writes Sports News Blitz’s Lucy Armour.
F1 news: What are Mercedes and George Russell’s chances of winning the 2025 Brazilian Grand Prix?
Mercedes will be hoping to score another victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend, or at least grab a podium, as they look to gain ground in the Constructors’ Championship.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Ayla Vaughan reviews the Silver Arrows’ previous wins in São Paulo and assesses the likelihood of a repeat in 2025.
Mexico City GP: Lando Norris takes control of title fight, Haas’ Ollie Bearman battles the best for shock finish, Lewis Hamilton penalty controversy, and more
To the sound of the Mariachi, F1 made its way to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, October 26.
A championship-defining drive from Lando Norris, controversy between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and a career-best finish for rookie Ollie Bearman - it was a weekend with no shortage of highlights.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer, Henry Eccles, takes a look at the biggest talking points to come out of the Mexican GP.
F1 news: Mexican GP winners and losers as Lando Norris overtakes Oscar Piastri in championship race
Lando Norris won the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday to move one point ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the winners and losers from Mexico City as the fight for the championship gets ever closer.
F1: Winners and losers from the 2025 United States Grand Prix
Max Verstappen won the United States Grand Prix on a weekend which saw him edge ever closer towards McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri in the Drivers’ Championship battle.
Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens looks at the winners and losers of the race out in Austin as we head towards the end of the F1 season.
2025 Singapore GP: Statement victory for George Russell, ‘Papaya Rules’ cast shadow over McLaren’s Constructors’ win, Fernando Alonso’s foul-mouthed rant, and more
For the toughest race on the calendar, F1 returned to the Marina Bay Street Circuit for the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, October 5.
A dominant performance from Mercedes’ George Russell, more ‘Papaya Rules’ controversy for McLaren despite a Constructors’ title win, and an angry Fernando Alonso - the weekend has once again given us plenty to discuss.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer, Henry Eccles, takes a look at the biggest talking points to come out of the 2025 Singapore GP.
2025 Azerbaijan GP: Max Verstappen back in the title fight, McLaren make more mistakes, Carlos Sainz takes first Williams podium, and more
Following on from Monza, F1 returned to another high-speed circuit on the streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sunday, September 21.
A record-breaking qualifying session, a shock podium for Williams, and Max Verstappen possibly creeping back into the title fight - the weekend has given F1 fans plenty to discuss.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer, Henry Eccles, takes a look at the biggest talking points to come out of the 2025 Azerbaijan GP.
F1 news: George Russell insists ‘it’s a when not if’ amid ongoing Mercedes contract uncertainty
One of the biggest and most constant stories across the first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season has been on George Russell’s future at Mercedes, or rather, elsewhere.
In this article, Sports News Blitz deputy content editor Nicole Powell breaks down the latest on Russell’s future at Mercedes.
F1 news: George Russell questions Mercedes’ direction ahead of Hungarian GP
Since winning the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix, George Russell has failed to finish within the top four in the last three races.
Mercedes had started the season off decently, and Russell’s win in Montreal - paired with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first and only Formula 1 podium - suggested the Silver Arrows were on the rise.
But despite that boost and a steady stream of upgrades, the team appears to have lost momentum, reports Sports News Blitz’s deputy content editor Nicole Powell.
2025 Austrian GP preview: Lando Norris’ response to Oscar Piastri clash, Mercedes hope to build on first win of the season, Max Verstappen looks to avoid race ban, and more burning questions
After another short break, F1 returns to Europe this weekend for the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, June 29.
Every F1 fan will be waiting to see how McLaren’s Lando Norris responds to his Canada collision with team-mate Oscar Piastri, whether Mercedes can build on their first win of the season, and if Max Verstappen can again avoid a race ban.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Henry Eccles considers five burning questions in the build-up to the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix.
2025 Canadian GP talking points: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris clash, George Russell delivers Mercedes’ first win of the season, Kimi Antonelli makes history, and more
After a dramatic European triple-header, F1 returned on Sunday, June 15 for the Canadian Grand Prix, held at the iconic Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal.
With the McLaren drivers finally clashing, Mercedes’ remarkable recovery from a poor European season, and all sorts of strategies up and down the grid, the race gave F1 fans plenty to discuss once again.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Henry Eccles takes a look at five key talking points to come out of the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix.
2025 Canadian GP preview: Max Verstappen’s penalty worries, Lance Stroll’s injury battle, Mercedes look to recover and more burning questions
Following a well-earned rest off the back of a chaotic European triple-header, F1 returns for the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, June 15.
With all eyes on Max Verstappen, a race against time for Lance Stroll, and Mercedes hoping to bounce back from a torrid European leg, there is a lot to look out for at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Henry Eccles considers five burning questions In the build-up to the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix.
Chaos in Catalunya: Max Verstappen's meltdown sparks outrage at Spanish GP
In a race that started with quiet and ended in chaos, Max Verstappen's antics at the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix have once again thrust him into the spotlight - not for his driving prowess, but for behaviour that many in the paddock are calling reckless and unsportsmanlike.
2025 Emilia-Romagna GP talking points: Max Verstappen at his best, Lewis Hamilton shines for Ferrari, Franco Colapinto struggles on return, and more
On Sunday, May 18, F1 returned to Europe for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix to get the second triple-header of the 2025 season underway.
The Imola Circuit served up yet another dramatic round of F1 action, with some incredible overtakes, remarkable recovery drives, and two Safety Cars causing plenty of chaos up and down the grid.
Sports News Blitz’s F1 writer Henry Eccles takes a look at five key talking points to come out of the 2025 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.