Top of the class

Mercedes entered the year as favorites and have delivered on expectations. Their machine has proved dominant with eight victories from 11 events, a success rate that may exceed even their own forecasts. Despite skewed findings from the Aduo engine study, which rated the Red Bull highest based solely on combustion output rather than total performance, the Mercedes power unit overall, especially its hybrid electric component now so essential, stands clearly ahead of the rest.

They have faced pressure, particularly from Ferrari, and have been pushed at times by Red Bull and McLaren, yet they have shown repeatedly that in clean air, free from battles and able to deploy electrical power at peak efficiency, the car proves extremely difficult to overtake. They have also confirmed this edge across most circuit types. Leading the constructors' championship over Ferrari by 72 points, reliability concerns remain their sole weakness. Another crown looks within reach.

New head boy

The car's promise has been harnessed superbly by Kimi Antonelli, as the Italian teenager has fulfilled his natural ability with remarkable speed and calm after just one year in the series. The 19-year-old has adapted to the fresh rules and front-running competition with impressive skill and poise beyond his years. Five straight wins followed by another at Spa confirmed not only his ability to finish strongly but also his boldness. He has shown eagerness and haste at times, yet anything less from someone so young might seem underwhelming. As team principal Toto Wolff noted, he prefers to hold back a thoroughbred than urge on a reluctant mount. Even when not leading, his early talent has enabled him to contest every chance. Antonelli is the genuine article and, ahead in the drivers' standings by 50 points over Lewis Hamilton, is set to claim the title. In this form it could be the start of several.

Ready for a summer break

In clear contrast, Antonelli's teammate George Russell has faced constant setbacks and a period to regroup during the break will surely help. Russell began with victory in Australia but that proved misleading. Antonelli dealt with energy deployment troubles in Melbourne and Russell has since encountered similar woes along with others. He has often met misfortune, including the anti-stall activation at the Hungaroring, while also recognizing he has frequently lacked pace on race days versus the Italian. More concerning, no rapid solution appears available. He accepted that his driving approach might be the problem but that no longer seems true after Belgium. Still, Russell stays positive and the forward-looking mindset showed in a social media post after Spa. Over the summer he may be excused for a few drinks. A whisky, a vodka, a lager and a cider. Knocked down, we rise again. No matter how often, he wrote. Plenty of difficult spells this year but I will keep battling.

Most improved

It would have taken a hard heart not to appreciate Lewis Hamilton returning closer to his peak form. After his weakest campaign in 2025, when a struggling Ferrari left him weary and low, Hamilton has come back refreshed. This season's lighter, more agile cars without ground-effect aero suit his style and he has taken to them. He has built ties with his new squad and the Scuderia has supplied a competitive machine. Hamilton's Barcelona win, his first since 2024, proved he retains his sharp edge, a clear sign that at 41 he remains competitive. Ferrari have another engine update due that could bring them nearer to Mercedes, an exciting outlook. Work remains, as the Hungary strategy calls showed.

Must do better

Despite heavy spending on staff and facilities, ambition has never been lacking at Aston Martin, yet the squad has suffered a harsh reversal after expecting Adrian Newey to complete their puzzle. From the opening race in Australia, when Newey noted vibrations from the Honda engines risked lasting nerve harm to the drivers, Aston have faced troubles everywhere. Beyond the vibrations, now mostly fixed, the engine stays badly short on power, the car was too heavy and Newey's daring aero design has created unforeseen problems.

They have recorded 10 retirements so far with a best result of 10th that earned their single point. In Belgium they sat nearly six seconds from Mercedes pole and two seconds behind the team ahead, Cadillac, who are F1 newcomers. Honda's planned engine update arrived after the summer pause and the team chose not to develop further in favor of a full redesign that appeared in Hungary.

Hopefully we can reach at least a level of respectability now, that is the short-term aim, Newey said in Budapest, and the B-spec car marked progress as Fernando Alonso reached Q2 for the first time this year. The machine appears to have gained around two seconds in pace but a tough path remains ahead.