The 2026 Formula 1 season has kicked off with three exciting rounds, featuring the Australian, Chinese, and Japanese Grands Prix. This year has already produced some intriguing statistics and unprecedented achievements among the drivers.
Unusual 2026 Stats Revealed from Initial Three Rounds
Kimi Antonelli’s Remarkable Leadership
Kimi Antonelli has made history as the youngest driver to lead the Formula 1 World Championship at just 19 years of age. Born on August 25, 2006, he has surpassed the previous record set by Lewis Hamilton, who was 22 when he debuted in F1. Antonelli’s achievements are impressive; he won two races as a teenager, while Max Verstappen only managed one.
Historic Podium Comparisons
- Antonelli is the first Italian to secure back-to-back wins since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
- The podium in Japan featured an average driver age of just over 24 years, contrasting sharply with the first F1 podium in 1950, where the average age exceeded 46 years.
Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Milestone
Lewis Hamilton reached a significant milestone by securing his first podium with Ferrari in Shanghai. It took him 26 races to achieve this result, an impressive feat compared to his rapid podium success with McLaren, where he finished third in his debut race.
McLaren’s Turbulent Start
McLaren had a rocky beginning to the season. Oscar Piastri faced major challenges, missing the first two races due to a crash and an electrical issue. Lando Norris also failed to start in China, marking a troublesome period for the team.
Max Verstappen’s Struggles
Max Verstappen has experienced an unusual start to the 2026 season. His results—sixth in Australia, a DNF in China, and eighth in Japan—represent one of his worst starts as a Red Bull driver. Notably, this is the first time since 2018 that he hasn’t finished on the podium in the first three races.
Pierre Gasly’s Consistency
Pierre Gasly has demonstrated remarkable consistency this season. He has scored points in all three opening races for the first time, finishing 10th, sixth, and seventh. This performance is a significant improvement over his previous seasons at Red Bull.
The 2026 F1 season is shaping up to be full of surprises and groundbreaking performances, making it one to watch as the drivers continue to compete for the championship.
