AI Predicts Final 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship Results

Sixteen races into the 2026 Formula 1 season, Mercedes have largely controlled the pace. Their response to the new regulations has been impressive, winning the first six races. George Russell claimed victory in Australia, followed by teammate Kimi Antonelli who triumphed in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco.

Russell then added a second win in Austria, while Antonelli secured three more wins in Belgium, Italy, and Madrid, creating a solid lead in the drivers' standings. Nevertheless, Russell narrowed that gap with a win at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Despite Mercedes' dominance, they haven't always topped the podium. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton ended his drought with a win in Barcelona, his first since 2024 and first for his new team. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, also won at Silverstone.

Last year’s champion, Lando Norris, scored two victories this season, winning in Hungary and Zandvoort consecutively. With seven races remaining, following Max Verstappen's triumph at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, AI has predicted the full final Drivers' Championship standings, revealing some surprises.

Predicted 2026 Drivers' Championship Standings (Positions 23 to 1)

23. Sergio Perez - Cadillac: 0 points
22. Valtteri Bottas - Cadillac: 1 point
21. Lance Stroll - Aston Martin: 2 points
20. Yuki Tsunoda - Racing Bulls: 2 points
19. Alex Albon - Williams: 9 points
18. Fernando Alonso - Aston Martin: 11 points
17. Carlos Sainz Jr - Williams: 12 points
16. Esteban Ocon - Haas: 14 points
15. Nico Hulkenberg - Audi: 16 points
14. Gabriel Bortoleto - Audi: 20 points
13. Oliver Bearman - Haas: 28 points
12. Franco Colapinto - Alpine: 39 points
11. Arvid Lindblad - Racing Bulls: 61 points
10. Pierre Gasly - Alpine: 62 points

After a tough 2025, Pierre Gasly has rebounded well in 2026. AI predicts he will finish 10th with Alpine, showing consistency and experience that keep him scoring points regularly despite the team not competing at the front.

9. Liam Lawson - Racing Bulls/Red Bull: 100 points

Lawson aims to revive his F1 career after a difficult stint with Red Bull. Back with Racing Bulls, AI expects him to end up ninth, a solid platform to fight for his 2027 seat.

8. Isack Hadjar - Red Bull: 156 points

Returning from injury, Hadjar has shown strong finishes including a podium in Azerbaijan. AI forecasts eighth place for him, trailing far behind teammate Verstappen.

7. Oscar Piastri - McLaren: 217 points

After nearly winning last season but falling short, Piastri's 2026 started inconsistently with two DNFs, though podiums in Japan and Miami followed. AI expects him to gather 217 points, though unlikely to challenge for the title seriously given McLaren’s shared points between him and Norris.

6. Charles Leclerc - Ferrari: 267 points

Leclerc remains a top contender but AI sees him waiting longer for a championship. Despite solid early results, a few crashes and DNFs have hampered his campaign. He bounced back with a win at Silverstone and consistent finishes thereafter.

5. Lando Norris - McLaren: 279 points

AI doesn't expect Norris to defend his 2025 title successfully. While he has secured wins in Hungary and the Netherlands and a handful of podiums, setbacks like a DNF in Baku hurt his chances of staying in the title hunt.

4. Lewis Hamilton - Ferrari: 292 points

Hamilton has impressed with Ferrari, securing his first podium and win for them this season. AI predicts he will place fourth, consistently scoring but held back by sharing points with Leclerc and focusing on steady results rather than aggressive title chasing.

3. George Russell - Mercedes: 312 points

Russell began strongly but has been overshadowed by teammate Antonelli. Despite bouncing back with a win in Azerbaijan, inconsistent finishes and DNFs, including one in Malaysia, have damaged his title hopes, leaving him predicted third.

2. Max Verstappen - Red Bull: 313 points

Four-time champion Verstappen has had a challenging season but has collected eight podiums and finally won in Malaysia. AI sees him finishing second, finding it hard to clinch the title without a dominant car.

1. Kimi Antonelli - Mercedes: 428 points

Antonelli has stunned everyone with his breakout season, dominating much of the calendar and holding a commanding lead. The young driver has multiple wins and is favored by AI to take the 2026 Drivers' Championship.