Despite the sweep of the Mercedes Benz in the first four races of the 2026 season and the three consecutive victories of the youthful Kimi Antonelli, after the Crypto.com Grand Prix of Miami, the Formula 1 world championship gained greater suspense than could be expected.
It is true that the fight is reduced to seven drivers and four brands of the 22 and 11, respectively. Even so, Mercedes Benz will find fierce competition throughout the season from the McLaren –reigning champions- and Red Bull Racing-, which improved a lot on the Hard Rock Stadium track.
Meanwhile, the young Italian driver will have to face resistance from experienced drivers such as the defending champion, the British Lando Norris, and his compatriot George Russell; the Australian Oscar Piastri, the Monegasque Charles Leclerc and the multiple world champions, the Netherlands’ Max Verstappen and the British Lewis Hamilton.
From May 22 to 24, on the fifth date of the season to be played in Canada, the standings could be adjusted.
Regarding the Ibero-American drivers, with five participating in a race in Miami, a historic number, the Argentine Franco Colapinto was the best placed with a seventh place and shows extraordinary potential.
During the five weeks of F1’s stoppage due to the Middle East conflict, Colapinto gave a demonstration in Buenos Aires and brought more than 600,000 people.
Apparently, that support became a powerful impulse and right now, for the man from the River Plate, the sky is the limit.
The other Ibero-American pilots are at the bottom of the classification. The Hispanics Carlos Sainz (Williams, 14th place, 4 points) and Alonso (Aston Martin, 21, 0), the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi, 15, 2) and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Cadillac, 20, 0).
In an activity like F1, no one expects the underdogs to surprise and win a race. Progress is measured without big leaps: if you move up a position or if you earn a point.
For example, the objective this season for the debutant Cadillac is to conquer some point and climb some steps. Such are the demands and expectations in F1.
Fight without quarter
In the vanguard positions, however, an all-out fight is anticipated. Not only did the Mercedes maintain their level and the McClarens surpassed themselves at the Hard Rock Stadium. Verstappen’s Red Bull achieved its best performance so far in the competition with a fifth place and will surely become a thorn in the side for the rest of the competition.
On the other hand, the Ferraris were unlucky in Miami and failed to reach the podium for the first time due to a disastrous finish by Leclerc, but they will surely bounce back immediately and be a mortal enemy.
It is difficult for the Alpine and the Haas to make a leap as enormous as getting among the big four of the circus, but they could get closer and contribute to adding more steam to the competition. Both teams have improved a lot.
The 11 best
Pilot Position Country Team Points
1 Kimi Antonelli Italy Mercedes Benz 100
2 George Russell Great Britain Mercedes Benz 80
3 Charles Leclerc Monaco Ferrari 59
4 Lando Norris Great Britain McLaren 51
5 Lewis Hamilton Great Britain 51
6 Oscar Piastri Australia Mercedes Benz 43
7 Max Verstappen Netherlands Red Bull Racing 26
8 Oliver Bearman Great Britain Haas F1 Team 17
9 Pierre Gasly France Alpine 16
10 Liam Lawson New Zealand Racing Bulls 10
11 Franco Colapinto Argentina Alpine 7
