LONDON — George Russell has all but conceded his chances of winning the 2026 Formula 1 world title, though he says he has finally found "an answer" as to why this season has been such a struggle. The Mercedes driver trails championship-leading teammate Kimi Antonelli by 66 points with 10 rounds remaining.
Russell entered the new regulations as the pre-season title favourite, but has endured a difficult campaign as Antonelli surged to the top of the standings. Speaking in Monaco, Russell acknowledged that Antonelli has been better in 2026 and addressed the reasons behind his own struggles this year.
The 66-point gap with 10 rounds left leaves Russell facing a steep climb to overturn his teammate's advantage. His comments signal a shift in expectations inside Mercedes, with the championship momentum now firmly with Antonelli heading into the closing stretch of the 2026 season.