George Russell isn’t letting an average 2026 season define the rest of his Formula 1 career. Speaking ahead of the Mexican Grand Prix weekend on Thursday at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the British driver said he still has plenty of time to win a championship, even as Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of winning this year’s title in Mexico.
“I’ve still got a good 12 to 15 years left in me,” Russell said at the FIA press conference. “It’s by no means the end of my journey.”
Antonelli, 20, has nine wins this year compared to Russell’s three. A finish in ninth place or higher on Sunday will make him F1’s youngest world champion. Russell started the season with a win in Australia, but Antonelli then took five straight victories and has led the standings ever since.
George Russell Leans on Hamilton and Alonso To Make His Case
Russell currently sits second in the standings, one point ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who is 41. He used Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, who is 45, to make his case that age isn’t a problem. “Lewis won the majority of his titles in his 30s,” Russell said, adding that this year “is absolutely not going to define my career as a whole.”
He also admitted the 2026 season has taught him some things he didn’t want to learn. “I’ve probably learned more about myself this year than I would have liked to,” Russell said. “It’s not going to break me. If anything, it’s going to make me stronger.”
The Briton added that he’s proud of how he has handled the low points. “I’ve been pretty proud of my resilience,” he said, but the good days keep getting followed by bad ones. “I always perform best after my worst races.”
He last won in Azerbaijan, but hasn’t finished in the top five since, and came home eighth at the United States Grand Prix. “The pace was just rubbish today,” Russell told Sky Sports after last week’s race.
Toto Wolff Backs George Russell as Helmut Marko Doubts Him
Not everyone shares the optimism Russell has. Former Red Bull adviser Helmut Marko said Russell has lost his place as Mercedes’ top driver, as reported by Crash.net. “Russell is no longer the number one driver,” Marko said. “I doubt whether he’ll ever have another chance at the world title.”
When Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was asked about Marko’s comments, he pushed back. “I think he’s wrong on George,” Wolff said. “George has all the ability. I think the car doesn’t suit him.”
Antonelli skipped Thursday’s media duties because of what Mercedes called a viral illness, though he’s expected to drive in Friday practice. That leaves Russell as the face of the team in Mexico City, and he’s focused on something smaller than a title. “I think it is definitely important for me to try and gain some consistency,” he said.
More F1 Reading
- Sebastian Vettel Opens Up About Fear of Failure Under Enormous Ferrari Pressure
- ‘That’s Never Happened to Me Before’: George Russell Flags Volatility Issues With Mercedes’ Latest Upgrades
- ‘He Isn’t Getting Any Faster’: Max Verstappen Makes Brutal Assessment of Lewis Hamilton Over Age Debate
- ‘I Wish I Would Have Stayed’: Daniel Ricciardo Makes Heartfelt Confession on Red Bull Exit Before Title Streak
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Sebastian Vettel Opens Up About Fear of Failure Under Enormous Ferrari Pressure
‘That’s Never Happened to Me Before’: George Russell Flags Volatility Issues With Mercedes’ Latest Upgrades
‘He Isn’t Getting Any Faster’: Max Verstappen Makes Brutal Assessment of Lewis Hamilton Over Age Debate
‘I Wish I Would Have Stayed’: Daniel Ricciardo Makes Heartfelt Confession on Red Bull Exit Before Title Streak
