Antonelli Tops 2026 F1 Driver Ratings at Midseason
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- Kimi Antonelli earned a 9/10 rating, leading the Drivers' Championship by 50 points over Hamilton and 59 over Russell after five consecutive wins followed by a sixth in Belgium, with his Monaco performance singled out as outstanding.
- Max Verstappen rated 8.5/10 despite not winning a race all season, credited for extracting maximum performance from an RB22 that has 'barely wanted to get off the start line' and reaching the podium nearly as often as both Ferrari drivers.
- Lando Norris rated 8.5/10, described as driving at the same level as his 2025 title-winning form, but limited by a McLaren car that, prior to Hungary, 'has not been capable of winning' — a strength 'perhaps gone under the radar.'
- Isack Hadjar earned 7/10 at Red Bull with standout qualifying pace (outqualifying Verstappen at Suzuka and Silverstone), earning praise as 'finally a driver close enough to Verstappen' and likely to retain his seat for 2027.
- Pierre Gasly rated 7.5/10 — the only non-top-four-team driver to reach the podium in 2026, claiming third at the Monaco Grand Prix for Alpine.
- Esteban Ocon rated 5.5/10 and described as the driver 'most under pressure to keep his seat,' with Haas reportedly eyeing F2's Rafael Camara or reigning champion Leonardo Fornaroli for 2027.
- Oliver Bearman earned 7.5/10 at Haas with a 'substantial' qualifying and race advantage over teammate Ocon but lacks the points to reflect it, while the article flags Mercedes scout Gwen Lagrue's imminent move to Red Bull as Helmut Marko's replacement.
Why it matters: Antonelli, 19, is 50 points clear chasing the youngest-champion record, while Verstappen's winless streak despite an 8.5/10 rating exposes the RB22's collapse relative to Mercedes. Haas's stated interest in F2 talent for 2027 signals Ocon's exit is imminent, and Gwen Lagrue's move from Mercedes to Red Bull as Marko's replacement marks a significant technical staff transfer ahead of 2027.
