--- title: "Can Ferrari and Hamilton Stop Either Mercedes Driver This Weekend?" description: "Lewis [Hamilton taking his first victory with Ferrari]() was a huge deal for all parties involved: Hamilton, Ferrari, and also [Formula 1]() as a sport. But as good as that moment was, that's in the past now, and it's time…" date: "2026-06-25" modified: "2026-06-25" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/can-ferrari-and-hamilton-stop-either-mercedes-driver-this-weekend" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Can Ferrari and Hamilton Stop Either Mercedes Driver This Weekend? ![Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton finishes first at the end of the Catalonia Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo, on the outskirts of Barcelona, on June 14, 2026. (Photo by Manaure QUINTERO / POOL / AFP)]() *\Manaure Quintero via Getty\* Lewis [Hamilton taking his first victory with Ferrari]() was a huge deal for all parties involved: Hamilton, Ferrari, and also [Formula 1]() as a sport. But as good as that moment was, that's in the past now, and it's time to focus on the eighth round of the championship. The circus is now landing in Austria, where we'll get to really see if there's a chink in Mercedes' armor that'll have bigger consequences in the championship fight, or if the failures from Canada and Spain were purely bad luck. Likewise, do Ferrari and Hamilton really have the package to apply pressure at the front of the field and compete for victories, or was their win two weeks ago purely consequential? ![MONTREAL, QUEBEC - MAY 23: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 and Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 battle for the lead during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on May 23, 2026 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Mark Sutton - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)]() **Mark Sutton via Getty** Championship leader Kimi Antonelli leads the seven-time world champion by 41 points, while George Russell is nine points behind his former teammate. A Mercedes driver is still the favorite to win this weekend, with the odds leaning in Antonelli's favor, but it'd be silly to rule out Russell. Also, Ferrari hasn't had the best results at the Red Bull track, with its last win coming in 2022, with Leclerc at the wheel. Before that, it was 2002, though largely because of the track's absence from the F1 calendar. Over the last two to three races, we've also seen improved performance from Red Bull, and not just from Max Verstappen. Likewise, the fight for third through 10th seems to be bringing the most action lately, with several drivers and teams vying for that last step on the podium and solid championship points. As it stands, we could see anyone from McLaren to Alpine in third, and then a combination of Racing Bulls, Haas, and maybe even Audi sneaking into those last points-paying positions. Who's your money on? ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()