The first 11 races of the 2026 season have brought clear winners in some garages, while in others, complete uncertainty reigns. Here's a detailed analysis of the power balance among all 11 driver pairings on the grid.
The summer break in Formula 1 is the perfect time to draw a line and analyze the first part of the 2026 season. After 11 thrilling weekends, it has become clear who holds the status of 'number one driver' in each team, and where the battles are so close that the decision will be made in the remainder of the championship.
Particular attention is drawn to the situation at Mercedes, where Kimi Antonelli is ruthlessly marching to the top, while at Ferrari, the difference between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton is almost non-existent. Let's look at the numbers for all 11 teams.
Kimi Antonelli, leading the drivers' standings, also dominates the internal battle with George Russell. Antonelli has won seven of the 11 qualifying duels, securing six pole positions in the process. The situation is almost identical on race day, where he also triumphed 7-4. Antonelli has recorded six wins, while Russell has had a bit more bad luck with two retirements, compared to Antonelli's one.
In Maranello, there is complete balance. Charles Leclerc has a slight edge in qualifying (6-5), but Lewis Hamilton strikes back in races, where he leads with the same 6-5. Both have one win each, and Hamilton is slightly more successful in terms of podiums (5-4). This battle promises a fiery continuation of the season.
Lando Norris won the qualifying battle against Oscar Piastri 7-4, including a pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, which is also McLaren's only win of the season. In races, however, it's a complete tie (5-5). Norris has two retirements, while Piastri, in addition to one DNF, also missed the start of the first race of the season in Australia.
Max Verstappen justifies his status as Red Bull's number one driver. Against new teammate Isack Hadjar, he leads convincingly 8-3 in both qualifying and races. The four-time world champion has had three retirements, one more than Hadjar, but when both are on track, the Dutchman is untouchable.
Although the Faenza-based team had a great first half of the season, Liam Lawson managed to establish an advantage over Arvid Lindblad. In qualifying, it's tight (6-5), but in races, Lawson is significantly more successful (8-3). Together, they have scored points five times, and each has had one technical failure: Lawson in Miami and Lindblad in Canada due to a clutch issue.
Pierre Gasly has outclassed Franco Colapinto in qualifying with a high 9-2. In races, the gap is slightly smaller (7-4). Gasly also achieved the team's best result of the season - third place in Monaco - but also the only retirement in Miami.
Ollie Bearman won the qualifying duel against Esteban Ocon 8-3, also securing the only Q3 appearance for Haas this season (tenth in China). In races, he is also better (7-4), but with three retirements, while Ocon has no DNFs.
An interesting situation at Audi. Nico Hulkenberg has a slight edge in qualifying (6-5), but Gabriel Bortoleto is significantly more successful in races (7-4). The Brazilian has also had more luck with reliability - he only failed to start in China, while Hulkenberg, in addition to three DNFs, also missed the first race in Australia.
Although Williams is only ninth in the constructors' standings, Carlos Sainz can be satisfied with his personal performance. In qualifying, he has outclassed Alex Albon with as many as 9-2. In races, the gap is tight (6-5), and these results also represent the points scored: Sainz has three ninth places, while Albon has one eighth and one tenth.
Fernando Alonso has completely outplayed Lance Stroll. In qualifying, he leads 9-2, and in races 6-2. The season has been so tough for Aston Martin that in the first two races (Australia and China) and in Barcelona, both drivers failed to see the finish. The only point scored is Alonso's, for tenth place in Monaco.
In Cadillac's debut season, the experienced duo of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas is engaged in a tight battle. Perez is better in qualifying (6-5) and also holds the edge in races (6-3). However, both have had major reliability issues, retiring four times each, including double DNFs in Austria and Hungary.
