The summer break is almost at an end, but not the verdicts on what we have seen in this first part of the season. In this feature, we will take a close look at the performances delivered by the 22 drivers on track, selecting the mid-season successes and failures. Today, we will focus on those who have impressed: here are our standout performers.
First up can only be the championship leader
Since Melbourne, Kimi Antonelli (10) has put together a truly extraordinary first half of the season: only his retirement in Barcelona and the issues encountered at Silverstone interrupted an impressive points-scoring run for the Bologna-born driver, who is comfortably winning the intra-team battle against George Russell.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli
His symbiosis with the W17 is unique and has allowed him to produce exceptional performances. Of course, having the most coveted car on the grid may seem like the classic “easy win”, but in his second season in the top class, Antonelli has far exceeded expectations. He is the new face of modern motorsport, and Italy can finally dream again.
The Sir's revival
We left him in 2025 looking lost and troubled: in 2026, Lewis Hamilton (9) is back. There has been a clear change of pace from last season for the #44, who has even fulfilled one of his greatest dreams: winning at the wheel of the Rossa. Added to that is his uninterrupted points-scoring streak: no retirements for the Sir, who heads into the break as the most consistent driver on the grid and Antonelli's closest challenger in the championship.
Champions reveal themselves over time
More was certainly expected from McLaren: the MCL40 was not a match for its rivals until Budapest, where Lando Norris (8) managed to return to the top step of the podium. However, Lando had already built up good momentum at the previous rounds: the internal comparison with Oscar Piastri speaks for itself. Aside from reliability issues, the Briton has been more competitive than his team-mate at most of the rounds so far. A sign of growth, which once again shows us that champions reveal themselves over time, especially when their achievements are far from the front.
Inconsistent but present
We now come to Charles Leclerc (8) and Max Verstappen (7.5) . While the Monegasque can be pleased with three podiums and one victory, despite the difficult period he has had to face due to an inconsistent feeling with his SF-26, the Dutchman has been in a constant battle with his RB22.
Max's anger has returned due to Red Bull's poor performance, with the team clearly struggling against its rivals. The loss of harmony within the team has brought disagreements and tensions to Milton Keynes, with the future of the #3 hanging by a thread. Nevertheless, SuperMax has claimed no fewer than four podiums: a warrior fighting his toughest battle.
The pleasant surprises
Finally, we turn to those who have unexpectedly exceeded expectations. We start with Isack Hadjar (7), who in his first season at Red Bull has broken the second-seat curse, delivering solid performances that have often been close to Verstappen's. A contract renewal is just around the corner, and nobody can argue with it: a more than deserved promotion.
We move on to the Racing Bulls pairing, with rookie Arvid Lindblad and the ever-reliable Liam Lawson (8), who, after a difficult start, have gone into the break as the fifth-best team on the grid. The joy in Faenza is uncontainable: a great team effort that must continue in order to maintain this result through to the chequered flag at the end of the season. Lindblad and Lawson are a more than productive pairing: a real gem in the midfield.
Last but not least, Pierre Gasly (7) and Gabriel Bortoleto (7): Alpine started strongly before fading away; from Zandvoort, it will be tasked with reclaiming the fifth place currently occupied by Racing Bulls. Can it do so? In the meantime, we cannot help but give Gasly a good mark, as he once again proves himself to be the team's leader.
The Brazilian driver, meanwhile, has brought Audi its first points of the season: a small but significant achievement in a season in which the German marque is required to settle in and work hard to ensure a brighter future for its driver pairing. Bortoleto therefore continues to reaffirm his talent as we wait to discover how he will finish the season.
But not everyone is smiling: there are those on the grid who have disappointed expectations and those who have left a big question mark hanging over them. Join us tomorrow for the second part, where we will focus on the failures and those still awaiting judgement from this first part of the season.
Cover photo and internal photo no. 2 by: Luca Martini / WHYOUT Media
