Lewis Hamilton has the best average race finish in F1 2026: 3.75. Behind the leader come Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, 3.92), Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 6.17), George Russell (Mercedes, 6.58) and Lando Norris (McLaren, 7.67). First to fifth is separated by 3.92. Average official classification position across every race entered, retirements included.
The biggest move at the Dutch Grand Prix was Max Verstappen, down 3 places to P9. Nobody has pushed harder over the last three rounds than Lando Norris (McLaren): P7, P1, P1 across the Belgian, Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix — comfortably clear of the level set over the rest of the season. Going the other way, George Russell (Mercedes) has given up the most ground: P22, P7, P3 across the Belgian, Hungarian and Dutch Grands Prix, below the standard set earlier in the year.
So why is this ranking worth your time? Because it is exactly the kind of question every fan argues about and almost nobody actually counts. This one is counted: 22 drivers and 12 races of the F1 2026 season, built race by race from the official classifications. No votes, no opinions, no cherry-picked highlights — if a driver moves here, something real happened on track. And it recomputes itself after every Grand Prix, so the next time the argument comes up, the answer is already up to date.
Updated after the Dutch Grand Prix
The data after the Dutch Grand Prix is unambiguous: Lewis Hamilton heads the "Best average race finish" ranking at 3.75 from 12 races.
The chase is led by Andrea Kimi Antonelli at 3.92; Charles Leclerc sits third with 6.17.
This table is rebuilt from the official classification after every Grand Prix, so it moves only when the racing does. The big mover this round is Oscar Piastri, up 2 places to P7. Max Verstappen heads the other way, down 3 places to P9.
After 12 races and the Dutch Grand Prix now in the books, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) still sets the benchmark for Best average race finish at 3.75 across 12 races counted. Andrea Kimi Antonelli remains close in second on 3.92, while Charles Leclerc sits third at 6.17, already a clear step back from the leading duo. The biggest upward move this round belongs to Oscar Piastri, climbing 2 places to P7 with a 9.33 average, and Isack Hadjar also edged up 1 spot to P6 on 9.09; Fernando Alonso gained 1 to reach P18 at 16.25. In the other direction, Max Verstappen took the hardest hit, dropping 3 places to P9 with 9.42, and Alexander Albon slid 1 to P19 on 16.50. The distinctive story after round 12 is how sharply the table splits into tiers: the front is effectively a two-driver fight on average finish, while the mid-pack reshuffle around P6–P9 shows that small week-to-week swings can quickly change positioning even when the underlying averages remain tightly bunched.
Mean of the official classification position across ALL race entries — including retirements, which are counted at their classification order. Lower is better. This differs from "Most consistent drivers", which excludes DNFs. A minimum of 3 races is required; drivers below the threshold are excluded, never estimated. Ties are broken by total season points, then alphabetically.
Mean of the official classification position across ALL race entries — including retirements, which are counted at their classification order. Lower is better. This differs from "Most consistent drivers", which excludes DNFs. A minimum of 3 races is required; drivers below the threshold are excluded, never estimated. Ties are broken by total season points, then alphabetically.
After every Grand Prix. The standings above reflect results through the Dutch Grand Prix.
A lower value is better — the driver at the top of the table is the strongest by this measure.
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), with 3.75.