Two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi has stated that George Russell must improve his ability to handle pressure. Fittipaldi believes Russell needs to approach pressure ‘in a positive way’ to effectively challenge his Mercedes teammate, Kimi Antonelli, during the ongoing 2026 season.
Russell, currently third in the drivers’ standings, trails Antonelli by 59 points. Antonelli, at 19 years old, has demonstrated significant potential and is leading the championship.
The 2026 season began strongly for Russell, who secured pole position and victory at the opening Australian Grand Prix. However, his performance has since become a ‘rollercoaster,’ marked by a combination of reliability issues, various incidents, and a noticeable dip in form.
Mercedes, as a team, emerged as a frontrunner under the new 2026 power unit regulations. The team has claimed eight victories from the first 11 rounds of the season.
Despite the team’s overall success, the dominance is not absolute, with Ferrari and McLaren also securing race wins. Mercedes’ W17 car is noted for its balanced chassis and aerodynamic concept, developed around its power unit.
Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard described Russell’s 2026 campaign as a ‘character-building’ exercise. Coulthard highlighted a series of misfortunes, including technical problems in China and an engine failure in Canada.
Russell also faced an ill-timed safety car in Japan, a string of penalties in Monaco, and power unit issues in Belgium. Most recently, an anti-stall glitch in Hungary eliminated him from contention early.
Russell’s driving style, traditionally smooth and committed, may not be optimally suited to the lower-downforce 2026 cars. This has reportedly led to challenges with tyre management and increased microslides.
The new 2026 regulations have introduced more complex vehicles, demanding heightened concentration and energy from drivers. This has resulted in widespread mental exhaustion across the grid.
Russell himself acknowledged a ‘bit of a rollercoaster’ over the first 11 rounds, citing reliability problems and a lack of pace. He is contracted to remain with Mercedes until at least the end of the 2026 season.
‘Kimi Antonelli is doing a fantastic job, and he’s showing his potential,’ Fittipaldi stated. ‘He’s putting tremendous pressure on George Russell, and George, again, has shown he’s strong. If George takes that pressure in a positive way, like he showed many times he can do, I think it will be very interesting for the fans.’
