George Russell has congratulated Kimi Antonelli on securing the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship. Russell’s message followed a challenging Mexican Grand Prix for the Briton, which included a frustrated radio exchange with his Mercedes team. Antonelli clinched his maiden title with a third-place finish in Mexico City.
During the Mexican Grand Prix, Russell experienced a significant battery deployment issue at the start. This technical problem, which occurred as he launched from second position, caused him to lose multiple places on the opening straight.
The recurring mechanical failure prompted a heated radio message from Russell. He stated, “Mate, how is this possible? No, ahh… I’m gonna shut the f* up.” Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff issued an immediate apology over the team radio.
Russell ultimately finished sixth in the race. His performance was further impacted by a 10-second penalty for a collision with Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar.
Kimi Antonelli, at 20 years old, became the youngest-ever Formula 1 World Champion. The Italian secured the title with four races remaining in the season, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s previous record.
Antonelli’s championship season for Mercedes included nine Grand Prix victories. This marked a dominant performance in only his second year in the sport.
Russell had entered the 2026 season as a pre-season favourite, securing two wins in the first three races. However, his title challenge subsequently unravelled due to a combination of inconsistent performances, tough luck, and reliability issues with the Mercedes W17 car.
He described 2026 as his first season with more bad days than good, acknowledging the difficulty in maintaining morale. Russell currently sits fourth in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Mercedes, despite Russell’s struggles, is leading the Constructors’ Championship. The team is positioned to clinch the constructors’ title at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, having missed their first opportunity in Mexico.
Following the Mexican Grand Prix, Russell did not attend his mandatory post-race media duties. Mercedes excused him, citing his distraught state, which resulted in the FIA fining the team €5,000.
Russell did, however, offer his congratulations to Antonelli, his family, and the Mercedes crew. This gesture was noted amidst his personal disappointment.
Reflecting on his season, Russell attributed some of his difficulties to the 2026 technical regulations. He cited the new power unit configurations and high rear tyre pressures as factors hindering his natural driving style.
His driving approach, which emphasizes early throttle application out of corners, has been less efficient with the current power units and tyre characteristics. Russell has been working with a sports psychologist for seven years to address performance consistency.
Russell has affirmed his commitment to the remainder of the 2026 season and the 2027 campaign. He aims to rediscover the performance levels he has demonstrated throughout his career.
