F1 2026 battle open: Antonelli 320 pts, five rivals in chase
The 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship is still mathematically open with seven races remaining.
Following the Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, six race winners remain in the fight for the world title, led by Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
McLaren Settle for P6 and P9 in Sepang Rain Mayhem
With 183 points still available, consistency, reliability and Sprint performance will decide the championship.
F1 2026 Drivers’ Championship Standings After Sepang
Official classification after the Sepang round puts Antonelli clear at the top, but not yet unassailable. Position Driver Team Current Points Maximum Possible Points 1 Andrea Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 320 503 2 George Russell Mercedes 236 419 3 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 214 397 4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 191 374 5 Lando Norris McLaren 188 371 6 Max Verstappen Red Bull 188 371 Oscar Piastri, on a theoretical maximum of 311 points, is now mathematically out of contention. Isack Hadjar and other drivers further down the order are also eliminated.
How Many Points Are Left in F1 2026?
A total of 183 points remain in the 2026 season.
7 Grand Prix x 25 points for a win = 175 points
1 Sprint in Singapore x 8 points for a win = 8 points
Total = 183 points
Hamilton Fights From 18th to Podium in Sepang Rain
This calculation assumes a driver wins every remaining race and the final Sprint of the season in Singapore. It sets the ceiling for all title permutations.
Who Can Still Win the F1 2026 Championship?
Every driver in the top six has already won at least one Grand Prix in 2026, which underlines how competitive this regulation cycle has become.
2026 Grand Prix winners this season:
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes: Multiple wins including China, Japan, Miami, Canada, Monaco, Belgium, Italy and Spain
George Russell – Mercedes: Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan
Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari: Barcelona-Catalunya
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari: British Grand Prix
Lando Norris – McLaren: Hungary, Netherlands
Max Verstappen – Red Bull: Sepang
George Russell Power Unit Failure Ends Sepang Podium Bid
This is the first time in the hybrid era that six different Grand Prix winners are still in title contention this late in the season.
When Can Kimi Antonelli Clinch the Championship?
Antonelli cannot win the title in Singapore, even with a perfect weekend.
The earliest realistic clinch point is the United States Grand Prix in Austin. For that to happen, Antonelli would need to win the Singapore Sprint, the Singapore Grand Prix and the Austin race, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton score very few points.
In a more realistic scenario based on form and reliability, the championship battle will extend to Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Las Vegas and potentially beyond.
Russell’s retirement at Sepang was decisive. It extended the gap to Antonelli to 84 points and has complicated his route to a first title.
What Will Decide the Title Fight?
Three factors will be decisive in the final seven rounds:
- Reliability: Mercedes has had the most reliable package, which explains Antonelli’s buffer. One DNF for the leader could reopen the fight instantly.
- Sprint Opportunity: Singapore hosts the final Sprint of the year. An extra 8 points could be crucial for Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen to stay within striking distance.
- Calendar Uncertainty: Decisions regarding the final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi are pending with a mid-October determination expected. If those events are altered or replaced, the total points remaining would drop, which would accelerate the mathematical closure.
What’s Next on the F1 2026 Calendar?
The championship now moves to a demanding flyaway sequence:
Singapore (Sprint + Grand Prix) > Austin > Mexico City > Sao Paulo > Las Vegas > Qatar > Abu Dhabi
Hamilton Fights From 18th to Podium in Sepang Rain
Subject to final FIA confirmation
Each venue tests a different car characteristic – tyre management in Singapore, high-speed efficiency in Austin and Las Vegas, and altitude performance in Mexico.
FAQ: F1 2026 Title Battle
How many drivers can still win the F1 2026 title?
Six drivers are mathematically still in contention: Antonelli, Russell, Hamilton, Leclerc, Norris and Verstappen.
How many points does Antonelli need to win the championship?
With 183 points left, Antonelli needs to outscore Russell by 100 points across the remaining races to secure the title early.
Max Verstappen Wins 2026 Bahrain GP at Sepang, Ends Drought
Has any driver been eliminated after Sepang?
Yes. Oscar Piastri can only reach 311 points, which is less than Antonelli’s current 320, so he is out.
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