WILD F1 Awards & Predictions for Second Half of 2026 Season | Max Verstappen gone?

Welcome back to Pit Lane Torque!

Following our complete mid-season F1 team report cards, host Abby Nicholson and Daily Mirror & Daily Express F1 correspondent Daniel Moxon are handing out their mid-season awards and making bold predictions for the second half of the 2026 season. We break down our top picks across six key categories—from the young drivers to watch to the biggest disappointments and title predictions! 🏆 Mid-Season Award Categories & Highlights: One to Watch: Why Arvid Lindblad's impressive F1 start—and his battle alongside Liam Lawson—makes him a prime candidate to kick on in the second half of the year. Plus, honourable mentions for Gabriel Bortoleto! Biggest Driver Move: Fernando Alonso's F1 future at age 45, his passion for GT racing, driver management ventures, and what his potential departure could mean for the driver market chaos! Surprise Podium Contenders: Who is best positioned outside the top teams to grab a surprise podium? We look at Racing Bulls, Liam Lawson, and Gabriel Bortoleto. Biggest Disappointment: Is George Russell underperforming expectations amidst Mercedes' team dynamics, or is a turnaround on the horizon? Biggest Team Disappointment: Williams' ongoing struggles with incremental upgrades and realistic expectations for 2026. World Championship Prediction: Can Lewis Hamilton bring Ferrari into a true title battle, or will Kimi Antonelli hold onto his championship momentum down the stretch?

⏰ Timecodes:00:00 - Teaser00:22 - Intro01:29 - One to Watch04:11 - Driver Move of the Year07:37 - Surprise Podium09:44 - Biggest Disappointment13:36 - Sponsor Message14:15 - Title Winner 🎟️ Experience F1 Live with Gullivers Sports Travel! Want to catch the championship battle live from the grandstands? Check out our sponsor Gullivers Sports Travel for handpicked hotels, ticket packages, and seamless travel to iconic Formula 1 races! 👉 Check out Gulliver's travel for all your sporting and F1 packages - https://gulliverstravel.co.uk/event/formula-1?utm_source=PitLaneTorque&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Formula12026 🔗 Stay Connected: Subscribe to Pit Lane Torque for weekly F1 analysis, driver market updates, and race previews! Drop a comment below: Who is your pick for the biggest disappointment or surprise podium winner this season? 👇

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