Formula 1 Season Resumes: Key Questions and Predictions

The Formula 1 summer break has concluded, and the 2026 season is set to restart in the Netherlands this weekend as the championship race intensifies in the final months of the campaign.

Sky Sports F1 pundit Karun Chandhok has analyzed the significant questions that still need answering on and off the track this year, offering his predictions for the remainder of the season.

How many drivers are realistically contending for the title?

Kimi Antonelli holds a substantial 50-point lead in the championship. However, the gap between Lewis Hamilton in second and Lando Norris, the recent winner in Hungary, in fifth is narrow. With two Sprint races and up to 12 Grand Prix events remaining, a potential 316 points are still available before the season concludes in December.

Karun's take: "Realistically, this championship belongs to Antonelli to lose. Since the current scoring system was introduced in 2010, no one has overcome such a significant points deficit. Kimi is performing well, and he has great confidence in his car and how it's performing for him.

The primary concern for Mercedes seems to be reliability. While this could pose a challenge, they are expected to continue improving it. Therefore, it's realistically Antonelli's championship to lose, which is an incredible achievement in his second F1 season.

I'll add that with the ongoing development and upgrades, it will be fascinating to observe Ferrari's progress, as well as whether any of Mercedes' improvements benefit George Russell. He appears to have faced more misfortune and a pace disadvantage this year.

I believe only Lewis or possibly George could challenge him, but the championship is more likely to be Antonelli's to lose."

Which team should we watch for development?

In-season car development is a critical aspect of Formula 1, but the stakes are even higher this year as teams are still in the early phases of mastering the all-new 2026 aerodynamic regulations and power units. The first half of the season saw significant performance gains from teams introducing update packages, a trend expected to persist after the summer break.

Karun's take: "I'm eager to see what McLaren will do. The car performed exceptionally well in Budapest, which bodes well for the Dutch Grand Prix, as a strong car in Budapest usually translates to a good performance at Zandvoort.

They also have further upgrades planned for the rear of the car this weekend, marking the second part of their update package.

The team to watch closely is Red Bull, as they've been somewhat inconsistent, and there's a challenge for them to catch up. Throughout the season, they've had the fourth-fastest car, which isn't ideal for keeping Max Verstappen happy and committed to the team.

Therefore, Red Bull is the team I'm most interested in observing to see if they can overcome their current inconsistencies."

Will Fernando Alonso continue racing or retire after 2026?

Fernando Alonso indicated he would use the summer break to decide whether to extend his F1 career into a record-breaking 24th season next year. The Spaniard, who turned 45 in July and recently became a father, has downplayed the notion that his decision hinges solely on Aston Martin's competitiveness in 2027, stating that the sport's current regulations will also play a role.

Karun's take: "I believe if Aston Martin can demonstrate progress, and if Honda can show advancements, providing Alonso with a car that at least reaches Q3 and offers him something to compete for in 2027, he will likely continue. He won't stay to be consistently eliminated in Q1."

How will Aston Martin's performance evolve on the grid?

Aston Martin, considered the season's underperformer due to issues with their 2026 chassis and Honda engine, introduced their first car upgrade in Hungary, aiming for a series of improvements. Further refinements to Adrian Newey's AMR26 and the anticipated engine upgrade at Zandvoort offer the potential for significant progress leading into 2027.

Karun's take: "Aston Martin needs to reach a point where they are occasionally qualifying for Q3 by the end of this year, which will lay the groundwork for 2027 and beyond.

The engine upgrades will be crucial for this. Their straight-line speed at Spa was concerning. The updated chassis in Budapest seemed to provide a performance advantage, a decent step.

With the engine improvements, they might occasionally secure a Q3 spot, which would represent good progress and, more importantly, a solid foundation."

How many different drivers will win races in the remaining events?

The F1 summer break began with a streak of five different race winners in as many races, including victories for both Mercedes drivers, both Ferrari drivers, and Lando Norris of McLaren.

Karun's take: "I think there's a possibility that both Ferrari drivers, McLaren drivers, Mercedes drivers, and Max could win races.

If Red Bull makes significant upgrades and introduces effective parts, Max could certainly win. He was very close in Austria, and the car showed steady improvement. With a couple of major advancements, they could achieve this."

What will the return to Sepang be like, and which cars might it favor?

Formula 1 will return to the popular Sepang International Circuit in October for the first time in nine years, as Malaysia will host the rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix. Sepang, a favorite among drivers and fans during its 18 years on the calendar, is known for its challenging corners and exciting racing.

Karun's take: "I love Sepang. I first competed there in 2001, which was my debut year in international racing. I've raced there in various categories since and have always thoroughly enjoyed the circuit.

I believe we're in for a fantastic race. The current cars have ample opportunities to harvest energy around sections of the lap, making it a very competitive race overall.

It will be hot, so teams that can manage tyre temperatures effectively will have a significant advantage."

Who will win the 2026 championships?

Antonelli's 50-point lead at the season's midpoint positions him as the clear favorite for the drivers' championship, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who was an early title favorite. Mercedes might have had a more dominant season and a larger lead over Ferrari if not for reliability issues. Nevertheless, Ferrari outscored them in the three races before the summer break, and with better reliability, they remain contenders. In 2024, McLaren was 78 points behind Red Bull with 12 races remaining but ultimately won the championship.

Karun's take: "I believe this is Antonelli's drivers' title to lose, and Mercedes' Constructors' Championship to lose."