Just as the 2026 Formula 1 season was gaining momentum, events in the Middle East brought everything to a sudden halt. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix have been cancelled, forcing teams and drivers into an unexpected break. The championship is now set to resume on May 3 with the Miami Grand Prix.
Even with this early interruption, the opening phase of the season has already delivered plenty of storylines — and Mercedes is right at the center of it.
The biggest surprise so far? Kimi Antonelli.
The 19-year-old Italian, who joined Mercedes last year, leads the standings with 72 points – an impressive start to the season. Close behind him is teammate George Russell, giving Mercedes a strong one-two. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton currently sit third and fourth.
For Hamilton, this season carries extra weight. One of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, he returned to the podium after 470 days – and did so for the first time in Ferrari colours, making it one of the standout moments of the season.
Meanwhile, McLaren, last year’s dominant force – has yet to find its rhythm. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are currently trailing the front-runners, unable to replicate last season’s form.
Red Bull, too, is facing an unfamiliar situation. Max Verstappen, who has redefined consistency in recent years, has struggled to deliver in the last three races. Tensions with the media have only added to the sense that something isn’t quite clicking for the Dutch driver.
With Mercedes clearly leading the way after the opening races, this unexpected one-month break could prove crucial. Teams now have time to reset, rethink, and potentially shift the balance of power.
But what are the drivers doing during this downtime?
Kimi Antonelli doesn’t seem ready to slow down. The young driver has been sharing glimpses of his need for speed on social media, suggesting he’s already missing the track.
Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, has traded the cockpit for the camera, at least for now. The British driver has been busy with commercial shoots, sharing behind-the-scenes moments with his followers.
Valtteri Bottas, known for his laid-back and often humorous personality, has headed to the French coast. Spotted in Nice, he swapped horsepower for pedal power, spending time cycling instead.
Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris, better known to fans as “Carlando”, have reunited, and it looks like something fun might be on the way.
And finally, Fernando Alonso…
The veteran driver has stepped into a new role off the track: fatherhood. After weeks of speculation, the name is now official, welcome to the Formula 1 family, Leonard.
