Bernie Ecclestone and Helmut Marko have backed Kimi Antonelli to win the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, while also expressing their enthusiasm for the racing produced under the sport’s new regulations. The two paddock veterans believe the season has delivered compelling Grands Prix, including an unusually action-packed race at the Hungaroring.
Their prediction comes as Kimi Antonelli enters Formula 1’s summer break with a commanding 50-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton. The Italian driver has strengthened his position during the past two rounds, taking 18 points out of his closest championship rival and establishing himself as the clear title favourite.
Ecclestone and Marko praise the 2026 F1 racing
Few might have expected two traditionalists such as Bernie Ecclestone and Helmut Marko to be so satisfied and excited by the 2026 Formula 1 cars. Both are long-standing figures in the paddock whose careers began during the era of naturally aspirated engines, yet they agree that this season’s Grands Prix have been entertaining and fiercely contested.
“Yes, the 2026 races excite us,” Helmut Marko and Bernie Ecclestone told Swiss newspaper Blick. “The races are compelling. Even in Hungary, where the race is usually a procession to the finish, there were overtakes. Max Verstappen’s overtake was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the entire 2026 season.”
The Hungarian Grand Prix produced several changes of position despite the Hungaroring’s reputation as one of the most difficult circuits for overtaking. The race also proved significant for the championship, with Lando Norris securing his first victory of the 2026 season and Kimi Antonelli extending his lead by finishing on the podium from seventh on the grid. The full finishing order is available in the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix classification.
Kimi Antonelli backed to win the 2026 F1 title
Bernie Ecclestone and Helmut Marko also agree on the identity of the next Formula 1 world champion. “Antonelli will win the World Championship,” they predicted.
Kimi Antonelli began his summer holiday with a 50-point lead over Lewis Hamilton, having gained 18 points on the Ferrari driver across the two most recent races. His position at the top of the Formula 1 driver standings is therefore considerable, even though a substantial part of the season remains.
The other driver to watch could be reigning world champion Lando Norris, whose victory in Hungary ended his wait for a first win of the season. However, the McLaren driver remains 91 points behind Kimi Antonelli, leaving him with a significant deficit to overcome during the second half of the 2026 championship.
Leave a Reply