George Russell likens his adaptation to Mercedes' 2026 car to a golfer revamping his swing, as he addresses early struggles. His recent win in Austria has reignited his title hopes, but he remains cautious of rivals like Ferrari.
George Russell has compared his challenge of adapting to the Mercedes 2026 car to a golfer altering their swing. As he gears up for the Belgian Grand Prix, he reveals the difficulties he's faced in maximizing the car's performance. After a rocky start, marked by reliability issues and lagging behind teammate Kimi Antonelli — who secured five consecutive wins — Russell's victory in Austria has rejuvenated his campaign, narrowing Antonelli's lead to just 25 points.
Russell's resurgence has coincided with some misfortune for Antonelli, who has been plagued by car troubles in two of the last three races. Yet, Russell admits he's still not completely at ease with the car. "You naturally evolve your driving style to suit what is needed," he explained. "But this year, my style hasn't aligned with the demands of the power unit and tyres, requiring setup changes I'm not used to."
He likens this learning curve to a golfer refining their swing, noting that it requires a conscious effort rather than relying on instinct. "It's a bit of a learning pit," he says, "before I can take full advantage of these adjustments."
Although Russell's eyes are on the top spot, he knows Antonelli isn't his only competition. Ferrari has been steadily improving, boasting wins from Lewis Hamilton in Barcelona and Charles Leclerc at Silverstone. Hamilton is trailing Russell by just seven points.
When asked about Ferrari's threat, Russell acknowledged their consistent upgrades and improved power unit, especially evident at Silverstone. "They’ve been getting stronger and stronger," he said, recognizing them as a formidable opponent in the title race.
As Russell continues to adjust, the upcoming races will be crucial in determining whether he can maintain his momentum and challenge for the championship.