George Russell has described 2026 as one of the toughest seasons of his career, reflecting on his struggles in an Instagram post after Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli secured the Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Russell said his campaign began as he had hoped but was soon disrupted by poor performances and difficult luck. “It’s been the first proper season of my career where I’ve had more bad days than good,” he wrote, adding that picking himself up week after week had been difficult. “All I know is that I’ve given it my all and 2026 was not meant to be my year.”
Antonelli clinched his first championship in Mexico City, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Russell had a frustrating race, ending sixth after a power deployment issue on the opening lap and a 10-second penalty following a collision with Isack Hadjar.
Russell started the season with victory in Australia and also won in Austria and Azerbaijan, but his title challenge faded as Antonelli moved to the front. Russell said he had struggled to find his best form, while Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has identified the W17’s narrow operating window as a contributing factor.
In his post, Russell congratulated Antonelli, saying the championship was deserved. He also thanked Mercedes for producing what he described as the season’s best car and power unit, and praised the team’s efforts to bring the squad back to the front.
With four rounds remaining, Russell said he would keep working to recover the performance he had shown through most of his career. He and Antonelli are set to remain Mercedes team-mates next season.
Sources: Formula 1.