Russell admits 2026 F1 title form arrived late after Baku win

News Summary

George Russell says he can now challenge for F1 victories week after week after adapting his driving to the 2026 Mercedes.
He acknowledges that his performances were not strong enough to keep him in the title fight earlier in the season.
Russell intends to pursue every remaining win, while Antonelli retains a 66-point championship lead.

George Russell believes he has reached the level needed to fight for the 2026 Formula 1 title, but accepts that his recovery in form has come with a substantial deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix victory cut the gap to 66 points; it did not erase the consequences of the races in which he struggled to match the championship leader.

The Baku weekend offered the clearest demonstration of Russell’s recent improvement. He took pole by 0.837s, led every lap and won despite safety cars repeatedly removing the advantage he had built. Max Verstappen closed to within 0.196s at the finish after Russell briefly lost power following a late yellow flag, but had spent the final stint chasing the Mercedes. It was Russell’s third Grand Prix win of the season and his first career Grand Slam.

Speaking in the post-race press conference attended by GRANDE PRÊMIO in Baku, Russell made a direct assessment of his earlier form. “I didn’t really consider myself in this fight for a number of races,” he said, explaining that his performance had not been strong enough. Since the summer break, however, he believes he has recovered the pace that would have allowed him to challenge Antonelli had he found it sooner.

That improvement has required Russell to alter his driving to suit Formula 1’s new generation of cars. He said the approach felt unfamiliar at first, with little opportunity to practise it away from race weekends. Four rounds after the break, the adjustments are becoming more instinctive. At a circuit such as Baku, that growing confidence allowed him to brake later and approach the barriers more closely without losing precision.

Russell said he was proud of the work done with the engineers closest to him during that difficult period. He maintained that he never doubted his underlying ability: he believed there was a reason for the missing pace and that patience would help him find it. In the four events since the break, he said, he has qualified on the front row three times and taken three podiums. Those results leave him confident that he can fight for victory at successive rounds rather than viewing Baku as a one-off performance.

Antonelli’s recovery in Azerbaijan showed why Russell’s task remains difficult. The 20-year-old crashed in qualifying and started 16th, yet finished fifth to concede only 15 points to his teammate. Russell called it one of Antonelli’s first mistakes in a competitive session this season and noted that the Italian still left Baku with a strong result. He believes the championship leader carries more pressure, while Russell can concentrate on extracting the most from his own weekends.

Asked for his plan over the remaining rounds, Russell’s immediate answer was: “Win every race.” He subsequently clarified that he is pursuing individual victories rather than setting a points target for catching Antonelli. The lead could change quickly, he said, but his priority is to continue delivering performances like Baku’s and accept whatever effect those results have on the championship.

The points available after Baku put a firm limit on what Russell controls. Antonelli has 302 points to Russell’s 236, with eight Grands Prix and the Singapore Sprint remaining. Even if Russell wins all nine events, he will need Antonelli to finish below second in some of them.

Russell cautioned against assuming that Mercedes will reproduce its Baku advantage at every circuit. He said the car has been particularly effective at tracks that reward low drag and noted that upgrades are due soon. He expects them to help, but said their value must be established on track. The next test is Sepang, where the Bahrain Grand Prix will be held from 2 to 4 October.

F1 today: FAQ

Is Fernando Alonso staying at Aston Martin in 2027?

Yes. Aston Martin confirmed that Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll have extended their contracts and will continue with the team beyond 2026. The announcement secures Alonso’s place on the 2027 grid.

Is Esteban Ocon leaving Haas, and who will replace him?

Ocon will leave Haas at the end of 2026. Rafael Câmara is a reported favourite, but the team has not announced a replacement; Leonardo Fornaroli, Jack Doohan and Ryō Hirakawa have also been evaluated.