Russell says 2026 has brought more bad days than good as Antonelli takes title

George Russell has said the 2026 Formula 1 season has been difficult to deal with, with more bad days than good in his career to date. He missed out on his first chance to win the world championship, which went to team mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and Russell offered his congratulations to him on what he described as an incredible season.

Russell said the season began as he had hoped but quickly unravelled through bad luck and poor performances. He thanked Mercedes for producing the best car and power unit of the season, and said he would give his full effort to rediscover his form for the rest of this season and into the next.