(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to former Formula 1 driver Anthony Davidson, Mercedes’ reliability problems could put Ferrari in a promising position in the title fight. Although Mercedes has been the fastest car on the grid so far in the 2026 season, Davidson still sees the Scuderia with realistic chances of 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 arch 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 finally finished only in 15th place.
Russell gains ground in the championship fight
In the drivers’ standings, Russell has thus closed the gap to his 19-year-old teammate to 25 points. Hamilton is seven points behind Russell in third place, Leclerc follows in fourth place with a deficit of 46 points.
“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
Although Mercedes has won seven of the first nine Grands Prix of the season, they have already suffered several painful retirements.
Where George Russell lost the most points in the 2026 championship fight
Russell retired from the lead at the Canadian Grand Prix due to a battery problem. Antonelli also lost a possible top result at 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, McLaren is third with 179 points. Given the development of the season so far, reliability could still become a decisive factor in the further course of the title fight.
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