# Antonelli and Mercedes lead 2026 F1 halfway stage 2026-08-10T08:53:57+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kimi Antonelli has won six races this season, including five in a row, leading the drivers' standings as Formula 1 reaches the halfway mark of a radically new regulation era. Mercedes also tops the constructors' championship, but Ferrari is close behind, with Lewis Hamilton rediscovering form and Charles Leclerc winning the British Grand Prix. Defending champion McLaren remains in contention after Lando Norris won in Hungary, though teammate Oscar Piastri has struggled with three non-finishes. Red Bull's Max Verstappen has been a vocal critic of the rule changes, calling them 'anti-racing'. ## Coverage - sportstar.thehindu.com Tags: 2026 season, F1, Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, motorsport Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/antonelli-and-mercedes-lead-2026-f1-halfway-stage/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/antonelli-and-mercedes-lead-2026-f1-halfway-stage/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.