Lewis Hamilton has reduced the points deficit in the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship following a third-place finish at the British Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver now sits 32 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
The British Grand Prix, held at Silverstone on July 5, 2026, saw Charles Leclerc secure victory for Ferrari. George Russell finished second for Mercedes, further tightening the championship battle.
Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, experienced mechanical issues late in the Silverstone race, which relegated him to a tenth-place finish. He also received a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.
The current driver standings show Antonelli leading with 179 points. Russell is in second position with 154 points, while Hamilton holds third with 147 points.
Leclerc’s win at Silverstone moved him to fourth in the standings, accumulating 108 points. Lando Norris is fifth with 97 points for McLaren.
Hamilton’s podium finish marks a continuation of Ferrari’s improved form. The Scuderia has secured two victories in the last three Grands Prix.
Earlier in the 2026 season, Antonelli had established a significant lead, securing five consecutive victories in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco.
Hamilton, who joined Ferrari in 2025, achieved his first victory with the team at the Barcelona Grand Prix earlier this season. His contract with Ferrari runs through at least the end of 2026, with an option for 2027.
The 2026 season features new technical regulations, including revised power units and active aerodynamics. This has contributed to a fluid championship landscape.
With 13 of the 22 races remaining, the title contest remains open. The next event on the calendar is the Belgian Grand Prix, scheduled for July 17-19.
Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, retired from the British Grand Prix after a late-race crash. This incident has activated an exit clause in his contract.
The Dutchman’s frustration afterwards suggested things are getting very difficult at Red Bull, and now that exit clause is very much in play.
The upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix will follow the Belgian event, taking place from July 24-26.
