Antonelli clinches 2026 F1 title four rounds early after beating Russell

Kimi Antonelli has won the 2026 Formula 1 world championship with four rounds to spare, finishing 130 points clear of team-mate George Russell. Antonelli has taken nine race wins to Russell's three, and 16 podiums to Russell's eight.

Russell had opened the season by winning the Australian Grand Prix, and Mercedes began the new rules era with the advantage many had expected. Instead, Russell has struggled to find consistent form, and he has acknowledged that his performances have not been good enough.

The gap is not confined to Sunday. Antonelli has been ahead in Q3 by a median of 0.185 seconds, and has also been quicker over comparable race stints in eight of nine races analysed, with Russell's engine issues and track position also cited as factors.