Mercedes are off to a brisk start this 2026 Formula 1 season, as their drivers, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, are leading the way in the drivers’ championship. Between them, Antonelli has the edge with 72 points, while Russell isn’t far behind at 63 points. As a result, the Silver Arrows are also on top of the constructors’ championship with 135 points with a 45-point cushion.
It’s still early, but the Formula 1 2026 odds fancy Mercedes’ chances to take the constructors’ title away from McLaren, who are off to a shaky start. Because of what happened lately, one can’t help but think that there’s a brewing internal rivalry between Antonelli and Russell.
Elsewhere, Max Verstappen recently participated in a chaotic non-Formula 1 race, while Audi underwent a massive change in the front office. It’s been a month since we last raced. So, for now, SBOTOP is here with some of the latest Formula 1 2026 updates.
Russell downplays title pressure from Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli is on a roll to begin the 2026 Formula 1 season. After finishing second behind George Russell in the Australian Grand Prix, the 19-year-old won back-to-back races in China and Japan to become the first Italian since Alberto Ascari (1953) to win consecutive Grands Prix and the first teenager in history to lead the drivers’ championship.
With Antonelli on the rise, one can’t help but wonder if Russell is feeling the heat. After all, Russell is initially lined up as the Silver Arrow’s No. 1 driver, as he has more experience than Antonelli, who is just into his sophomore campaign. During a recent interview, Russell chose to take the high road and spoke glowingly of his younger teammate.
“He’s a fantastic driver. I saw it last year. He showed lots of signs of great speed,” Russell said of Antonelli. “But it’s very early days. I’m sure it’s going to be very close. It’s quite normal coming into his second year to take a step, but it’s a very different dynamic this year when you’re kind of in a two-horse race.”
We’re just three races in, so the gap between Antonelli and Russell is far from unbridgeable. The upcoming Miami Grand Prix could be a pivotal point for these two Mercedes stars, as a plethora of rule changes will come into effect.
Verstappen in hot water with Red Bull
Red Bull are urged to sanction Max Verstappen, as the Dutchman drove outside of Formula 1. Verstappen competed in the Nurburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS) Qualifiers last weekend, which resulted in a seven-car crash, causing Juha Miettinen to lose his life. Six other drivers were taken to the hospital for examination, but none of the injured were in life-threatening condition.
The race earned extra attention due to the participation of the four-time world champion, who is due to participate in the 24-hour endurance race in May. It’s worth noting that Verstappen also competed there towards the end of 2025 before this year. However, due to the accident, the race will not resume on Saturday evening.
As for his 2026 Formula 1 campaign, Verstappen is off to a sluggish start, accumulating only 12 points from the opening three races. He finished sixth in Australia and eighth in Japan, but retired in China after 45 laps due to a “frustrating” car issue.
Teammate Isack Hadjar is also off to a slow start, notching only four points. The Frenchman did not finish in Australia before he finished eighth and 12th in China and Japan. With 16 points combined, Red Bull are sixth in the constructors’ championship, level with fifth-seeded Alpine.
Audi announce management shake-up
Audi recently announced that Mattia Binotto has been promoted to CEO and team principal, while Allan McNish will become their racing director, following the surprise departure of Jonathan Wheatley. Binotto and McNish will assume their new roles from the Miami Grand Prix onwards, with the latter reporting directly to the former.
Wheatley’s exit was a shock to many, as Audi are off to a relatively strong start this season. They’re currently eighth in the constructors’ championship after Gabriel Bortoleto secured points during the Australian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, teammate Nico Hulkenberg has come close in China and Japan, with back-to-back P11s.
According to reports, Wheatley left the German outfit due to his strained relationship with Binotto, but Binotto shrugged off the rumour. With Audi moving on, it remains to be seen whether Wheatley will return to the Formula 1 paddock soon, though he could consider returning to Red Bull.
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