How Max Verstappen can disrupt Kimi Antonelli, George Russell title fight in remainder of 2026 Formula 1 season

The 2026 Formula 1 title race has become a two-horse race between Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell with eight rounds remaining. <p>Antonelli leads Russell by 66 points ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and it will be fascinating to see how the Italian responds following what he called his "worst weekend" of the season last time out in Baku.</p><p>Depending on the quality of Mercedes' major upgrade package that will be introduced in Malaysia this week, we could see the Silver Arrows dominate the last third of the season.</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/13590788/bahrain-gp-in-malaysia-2026-dates-schedule-weather-uk-start-time-and-how-to-watch-or-stream-f1-race-at-sepang-live-on-sky-sports"><strong>Bahrain GP in Malaysia: UK schedule and how to watch on Sky Sports</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/schedule-results">F1 2026 Calendar</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/standings">F1 2026 Standings</a> | <a href="https://www.skysports.com/f1/live-blog/12433/12466779/f1-news-rumours-and-gossip-formula-1-latest-updates-on-teams-driver-transfer-market-and-contracts">F1 Gossip Column</a></strong></li><li><a href="https://qrcode.skysports.com/skysports/ContentPromo" target="_blank"><strong>Download the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more</strong></a><strong>📱</strong></li><li><strong>Not got Sky?