McLaren are “the team to beat.” That verdict came from George Russell, a Mercedes driver whose team still leads both title fights on points.

Speaking at the Dutch Grand Prix, Russell singled out Lando Norris as McLaren’s specialist on high-wear circuits after the Briton’s back-to-back wins at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort.

“But I do believe that these high-degradation circuits really suit McLaren very well, and especially Lando,” Russell told reporters.

“He’s always been a bit of a specialist in those conditions. We also saw it last year. Monza may be slightly different, but I think they are the team to beat right now.”

Read also: Kane's honest answer: his pick to win the Champions League is not his own club

Antonelli 83 clear of Norris in the standings

The verdict lands in an oddly shaped championship. Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes rookie, leads the drivers’ standings on 242 points, with Russell second on 183 and Lewis Hamilton third on the same tally, separated by countback. Reigning champion Norris is fourth on 159, a full 83 back, and 55 clear of team-mate Oscar Piastri in seventh.

McLaren’s momentum is what has changed the conversation. A heavy upgrade at the Hungaroring, another batch at Zandvoort, and Norris has converted both into wins. On Sunday he beat Antonelli by 11.536 seconds, with Russell third and Piastri sixth after a chain of untidy pit stops, according to Formula 1’s race report.

Nico Rosberg captured the shift more sharply.

“Who would have thought, in Melbourne McLaren were nine tenths behind Mercedes and now Lando is the guy to beat?” the former champion said on Sky Sports.

Read also: Hansi Flick sets out clear plan for Rodri's Barcelona debut

Norris is not making that call himself.

“If you want me to say ‘yeah, I can still fight for a championship’ I need more than what I have now,” he said.

Ferrari’s Monza engine the wild card

Russell hedged his own Monza expectations with a nod to Ferrari, who arrive at their home race with a possible power-unit step.

“However, I believe Ferrari have an engine upgrade incoming, and the truth is we just don’t know,” he said.

Read also: De Zerbi's bold demand for Savio: Double figures or it is not enough at Tottenham

The Italian Grand Prix runs at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 4-6 September.

Sources: – [2026 F1 championship standings after Dutch GP, RacingNews365](https://racingnews365.com/2026-f1-championship-standings-after-dutch-grand-prix) – [Russell delivers verdict on McLaren’s pecking order, RacingNews365](https://racingnews365.com/george-russell-delivers-clear-mclaren-pecking-order-verdict) – [Lando Norris wins 2025 F1 title, Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13480428/lando-norris-wins-formula-1-world-title-for-first-time-in-abu-dhabi-gp-decider-to-pip-max-verstappen-to-crown)

Read also: 'It's about dignity': Atletico take a hammer to Barcelona over Julian Alvarez