Brundle says Russell must find ‘overdrive’ after losing 2026 title to Antonelli

Martin Brundle has said George Russell will be ‘broken’ by losing the Formula 1 world championship to Mercedes team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, but believes the defeat could push him to improve. Antonelli clinched the title with four races remaining by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Russell finished sixth after a 10-second penalty for a collision with Isack Hadjar on the opening lap.

Brundle said Russell had waited a long time at Williams as a Mercedes junior and had got his chance just as the team stopped winning. He pointed to Antonelli’s rapid progress from his first season to his second, and said the key issue for Russell was consistent speed on the stopwatch, particularly in the second half of stints. Brundle added that Russell would need to lift his performance next year.

Russell, who won the opening race in Australia, was reported to be distraught after the Mexico race and left the circuit without completing his mandatory media duties. In an Instagram post, he admitted he had had more bad days than good during 2026.