Kimi Antonelli claims Mercedes no longer has fastest F1 car
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 23, 2026, 7:32 PM
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
Kimi Antonelli, the current Formula 1 championship leader, stated that Mercedes is no longer the fastest team after finishing second behind Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix. Norris secured consecutive victories from pole in the upgraded McLaren MCL40 at Zandvoort. This finish for Mercedes represents a decline, as the team has won only two of the last six races. Ferrari has also achieved victories in that timeframe. The season progresses with more competitive dynamics among the leading teams.
- •Kimi Antonelli leads the F1 championship.
- •Lando Norris wins the Dutch Grand Prix.
- •Mercedes finishes second at Zandvoort.
- •McLaren's performance shows strong upgrades.
- •Mercedes has only two wins in the last six races.
- 7:32 PMYahoo Sports — Norris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title
- 7:23 PMBBC News — Dutch Grand Prix: Lando Norris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title - BBC
- 7:23 PMBBC Sport — Norris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title despite Dutch GP win
- 6:54 PMAutosport — What makes Norris say “I don't have a car to fight for the championship”?
- 6:52 PMMotorsport.com — Lando Norris: I don't have a car to fight for the F1 title
- 6:21 PMMotorsport.com — Mercedes "clearly" not F1's best team anymore - Kimi Antonelli
"The 2026 Formula 1 championship finds itself at a curious intersection where nobody is willing to entertain the idea that they have the best car. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said after finishing second to Lando Norris in the Dutch Grand Prix that Mercedes no longer has the best car – indeed, that it may only be the third best. But Norris, now fourth in the standings with 159 points ...Keep reading
"The 2026 Formula 1 championship finds itself at a curious intersection where nobody is willing to entertain the idea that they have the best car. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said after finishing second to Lando Norris in the Dutch Grand Prix that Mercedes no longer has the best car – indeed, that it may only be the third best. But Norris, now fourth in the standings with 159 points ...Keep reading
"Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli reckons Mercedes “clearly” no longer boasts the fastest car after finishing runner-up to Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix. The McLaren driver made it consecutive wins from pole at Zandvoort aboard a heavily upgraded MCL40, making it just two victories in six for Mercedes due to Ferrari also claiming a couple. It marks a far cry from the ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 7:32 PMNorris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title
Lando Norris says he and McLaren "don't have the car I need to fight for a championship", despite a second consecutive win of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- BBC NewsAug 23, 2026, 7:23 PMDutch Grand Prix: Lando Norris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title - BBC
Lando Norris says he and McLaren "don't have the car I need to fight for a championship", despite a second consecutive win of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- BBC SportAug 23, 2026, 7:23 PMNorris and McLaren 'don't have car' to fight for title despite Dutch GP win
Lando Norris says he and McLaren "don't have the car I need to fight for a championship", despite a second consecutive win of the season at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- AutosportAug 23, 2026, 6:54 PMWhat makes Norris say “I don't have a car to fight for the championship”?
The 2026 Formula 1 championship finds itself at a curious intersection where nobody is willing to entertain the idea that they have the best car. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said after finishing second to Lando Norris in the Dutch Grand Prix that Mercedes no longer has the best car – indeed, that it may only be the third best. But Norris, now fourth in the standings with 159 points ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 23, 2026, 6:52 PMLando Norris: I don't have a car to fight for the F1 title
The 2026 Formula 1 championship finds itself at a curious intersection where nobody is willing to entertain the idea that they have the best car. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli said after finishing second to Lando Norris in the Dutch Grand Prix that Mercedes no longer has the best car – indeed, that it may only be the third best. But Norris, now fourth in the standings with 159 points ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 23, 2026, 6:21 PMMercedes "clearly" not F1's best team anymore - Kimi Antonelli
Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli reckons Mercedes “clearly” no longer boasts the fastest car after finishing runner-up to Lando Norris at the Dutch Grand Prix. The McLaren driver made it consecutive wins from pole at Zandvoort aboard a heavily upgraded MCL40, making it just two victories in six for Mercedes due to Ferrari also claiming a couple. It marks a far cry from the ...Keep reading
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