Russell says 2026 'was not meant to be my year' as Antonelli claims F1 title

George Russell has released his first public comments since Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 drivers' championship in Mexico City, where the Italian finished third to become the youngest F1 champion. Russell finished sixth after a 10-second time penalty for a first-lap collision with Isack Hadjar, having dropped back after a deployment issue on the run to Turn 1. Mercedes were fined €5,000 after Russell left the circuit without speaking to the media.

In a lengthy Instagram statement, Russell said his season had "quickly unravelled" after a dominant pole and win in the season-opener in Australia, admitting it had been the first proper season of his career with more bad days than good. He congratulated Antonelli on an "incredible" season and thanked the team for producing the best car and power unit. Russell said he would give his "absolute all" to rediscover his best form for the rest of this season and into the next.