– According to former Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson, Mercedes’ reliability problems could put Ferrari in a promising position in the title fight. Although Mercedes currently has the fastest car on the grid in the 2026 season, Davidson still sees the Scuderia with realistic chances of winning the world championship thanks to their flawless technology so far.
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This assessment came from Davidson after the British Grand Prix, the ninth race of the season. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured the win in Silverstone. Mercedes driver George Russell finished second, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took third place.
Mercedes driver and current championship leader Kimi Antonelli also had chances to win at times. However, a loose wheel fairing significantly affected his race. The Italian struggled with the damaged car and had difficulty keeping the car on the track. After a 5-second penalty for exceeding track limits, he eventually finished only in 15th place.
Russell gains ground in the championship battle
In the drivers’ standings, Russell has thus closed the gap to his 19-year-old teammate to just 25 points. Hamilton is seven points behind Russell in third place, with Leclerc following in fourth place, 46 points behind.
“George Russell is now only one race win away in points, that’s 25 points. The reliability problems must now be more than just a cause for concern for Mercedes,” Davidson explained on the Sky Sports F1 Show.
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At the same time, the former Formula 1 driver sees this as an opportunity for Ferrari. “Ferrari will think as a team: ‘Even if we don’t have the fastest car, maybe we can rely on our reliability for the rest of the season.’ Because so far their car has been absolutely bulletproof,” the Brit continued.
Reliability problems cost Mercedes points
Mercedes has won seven of the first nine Grands Prix of the season but has already suffered several painful retirements.
Photo gallery: Where George Russell lost the most points in the 2026 championship battle
Russell retired from the Canadian Grand Prix while leading due to a battery problem. Antonelli also lost a possible top result in the race in Barcelona after an electrical fault and an engine failure ended his race prematurely.
In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes currently leads with 333 points. Ferrari follows in second place with 255 points, and McLaren is third with 179 points. Given the development of the season so far, reliability could still become a decisive factor in the title fight going forward.
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