The start of the 2026 season of Formula 1 has been very exciting. There has been a big change in the driver standings after the first sprint race played in the Chinese Grand Prix. After winning this race, Mercedes driver George Russell has reached first place in the championship table with 33 points.
Russell achieved second victory
George Russell has made a great start this season. After the Australian Grand Prix, he strengthened his lead by winning the sprint race held in China. He is currently leading the drivers championship with 33 points.
Two Mercedes drivers in top-3
At this time the dominance of Mercedes team is clearly visible. The team’s young driver Kimi Antonelli is in second place with 22 points. He had achieved second place in the Australian Grand Prix, due to which he is ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc despite having equal points. Leclerc is also in third place with 22 points.
Ferrari and McLaren also in competition
Ferrari’s veteran driver Lewis Hamilton is in fourth place with 18 points. Whereas Lando Norris of McLaren is at fifth position with 15 points. The start of Red Bull’s current champion Max Verstappen has not been as expected. He is currently in sixth place with just 8 points.
Tough competition in midfield
In seventh place in the standings is Haas team’s Oliver Bearman, who has 7 points. Racing Bulls’ young driver Arvid Lindblad is in eighth place with 4 points. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri is in ninth place with 3 points, while Audi team’s Gabriel Bortoletto is in the top-10 with 2 points.
Many veterans could not open accounts yet
At the beginning of the season, many big names have not been able to score points yet. These include drivers like Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz Williams Jr. and Nico Hulkenberg.
Mercedes’ strong start
After the first two events of the season, the Mercedes team looks the strongest. The team had achieved a brilliant 1-2 finish in the Australian Grand Prix, while Russell’s sprint victory in China has further strengthened their lead.
Formula 1 2026 Drivers’ Championship Points Table (Top 12)
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 33 points
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 22 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 22 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 18 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 15 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) – 8 points
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 7 points
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 4 digit
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 3 points
- Gabriele Bortoletto (Audi) – 2 points
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 2 points
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1 point
