As we reach the halfway point of the 2026 Formula 1 season, it's an opportune moment to delve into the team mate head-to-head statistics and analyze the performances of these 11 pairings on the grid. From the top-performing teams to the underdogs, let's explore the numbers and uncover some intriguing insights.
The Championship Leaderboard
At the top of the Drivers' Championship, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes has dominated both qualifying and race day, beating George Russell in seven out of eleven qualifying sessions and crossing the finish line ahead in six of those races. This consistency has undoubtedly contributed to Antonelli's championship lead.
A Tight Battle at Ferrari
Over at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are engaged in a tight battle. Leclerc has the slight edge in qualifying, but Hamilton leads in race day finishes. Both drivers have taken one Grand Prix victory each, and Hamilton's five podiums to Leclerc's four demonstrate his consistency.
McLaren's Norris Leads the Way
Lando Norris has been the standout performer at McLaren, leading Oscar Piastri in qualifying by a margin of seven to four. Norris' pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix highlights his impressive form. In race day figures, the pair are evenly matched, with Norris responsible for McLaren's sole win in 2026.
Red Bull's Verstappen Maintains His Edge
Isack Hadjar, the new team mate to Max Verstappen at Red Bull, has faced a challenging task. Despite a solid start, Verstappen has outqualified and outperformed Hadjar in eight events. The four-time World Champion's retirements at the other three events highlight the tight competition within the team.
Racing Bulls' Lawson Takes the Lead
The Racing Bulls team has seen strong performances from both Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, but Lawson has taken the lead in head-to-heads. He has finished ahead of Lindblad in eight out of eleven Grands Prix, although the gap between them has often been small. Their five double points finishes demonstrate the team's consistency.
Alpine's Gasly Dominates Qualifying
Pierre Gasly has been dominant in qualifying for Alpine, beating Franco Colapinto by a margin of nine to two. However, the race day picture is more even, with Gasly leading Colapinto by seven to four. Gasly's P3 finish in Monaco was a highlight for the team.
Haas' Bearman Qualifies and Finishes Ahead
Ollie Bearman has qualified ahead of Esteban Ocon on eight occasions at Haas. His best Saturday result was a P10 in China, a notable achievement for the team. Bearman has also finished ahead of Ocon in seven Grands Prix, although Ocon has yet to suffer any DNFs.
Audi's Statistics Split
The statistics are split at Audi, with Nico Hulkenberg holding the advantage in qualifying over Gabriel Bortoleto. However, Bortoleto has the better race day statistics, finishing ahead of Hulkenberg in seven rounds so far. The younger driver has also enjoyed better reliability, with Hulkenberg suffering three DNFs.
Williams and Aston Martin's Challenging Campaigns
Both Williams and Aston Martin have had challenging first halves to the season, sitting in P9 and enduring car issues, respectively. Carlos Sainz has led the qualifying head-to-head at Williams, while Fernando Alonso has outscored Lance Stroll at Aston Martin. These statistics provide a glimmer of hope for the teams.
Cadillac's Experienced Pairing
Cadillac, in its maiden F1 season, has recruited the experienced duo of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. While often fighting towards the rear, Perez has marginally beaten Bottas in qualifying so far. He also leads in Grand Prix statistics, finishing ahead of Bottas on six occasions. Both drivers have suffered reliability concerns.
As we reflect on these team mate head-to-heads, it's clear that while the numbers provide a snapshot of performance, the story behind each team is unique. From championship leaders to underdogs, the 2026 season has offered an intriguing mix of competition and consistency.
