George Russell

George Russell expressed extreme frustration after an engine issue caused a disastrous start at the Hungarian Grand Prix, dropping him from sixth to last place. He recovered to finish seventh but lost further ground in the championship to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings. Russell cited a series of misfortunes this season, including a battery failure in Canada, a penalty in Monaco, and a collision in Belgium. He stated he is 'past the point of disappointment' and hopes for better luck in the second half of the season. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the team's reliability problems.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:00 AM UTC

Lando Norris secured pole position for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.012 seconds. However, Hamilton received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Oscar Piastri, dropping him to fifth. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was also penalized for yellow-flag violations. The reshuffled grid places Charles Leclerc second, Piastri third, and Max Verstappen fourth. Norris’s pole marks McLaren’s first of the season after a major upgrade. The race is set for Sunday, July 26.

18 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 27, 08:29 PM UTC

George Russell has been forced to change his power unit ahead of the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix after a crack on his engine caused a water leak during qualifying. Russell qualified seventh but stopped at the end of Q3 due to a loss of water pressure. The change is to the same specification and does not incur a grid penalty, as it is his fourth power unit of the season, within the limit. Mercedes believes the leak occurred after Russell ran over an exit kerb at Turn 4. This is the latest reliability issue for Mercedes, which has impacted both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell is 50 points behind championship leader Antonelli. The team has also fixed a software bug that caused a lack of straight-line speed and a collision with Lewis Hamilton at the previous race in Belgium.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 05:23 PM UTC

The article reports that the Hungarian Grand Prix of Formula 1 is approaching, and Mercedes mechanics are conducting a 'dress rehearsal' for tire changes at the Hungaroring circuit. The team has dominated the World Championship, with Kimi Antonelli leading and George Russell in third place. The practice sessions are set to begin today, July 24, 2026. The focus is on gaining precious seconds during actual pit stops through meticulous preparation.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 11:00 PM UTC

Formula 1 is in discussions with organizers of the Malaysian Grand Prix to bring the Sepang race back to the 2026 calendar as a stand-in event. The move comes after plans to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix in early October were abandoned due to increased conflict in the Middle East. F1 is now considering slotting Malaysia into the schedule on October 4, between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 26 and the Singapore Grand Prix on October 11. The last Malaysian Grand Prix was held in 2017, won by Max Verstappen. The return is also influenced by the possibility that the season-ending races in Qatar (November 29) and Abu Dhabi (December 6) may not proceed. European alternatives like Portimao and Istanbul are limited due to cold weather. Mercedes driver George Russell expressed support for adding replacement races to maintain a full 24-race season.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:05 PM UTC

Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli will be one of five drivers sitting out first practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Friday, as teams fulfill rookie participation requirements. Antonelli, who leads Lewis Hamilton by 45 points and George Russell by 50 points, will be replaced by Mercedes reserve driver Frederik Vesti. Other rookies taking part include Leonardo Fornaroli (McLaren, replacing Oscar Piastri), Paul Aron (Alpine, replacing Franco Colapinto), Ryo Hirakawa (Haas, replacing Oliver Bearman), and Colton Herta (Cadillac, replacing Valtteri Bottas). Fornaroli, the reigning F2 champion, has been linked to a Haas seat for 2027. The session takes place at the Hungaroring on Friday July 24 at 12:30pm local time.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:25 PM UTC

The 2026 Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th round of the season, takes place at the Hungaroring from July 24-26. The article details the full weekend schedule, including FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying, and the 70-lap race on Sunday at 3 p.m. local time. It also provides global TV broadcast start times for multiple time zones. The report updates the championship standings: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) leads with a 45-point advantage after winning the Belgian Grand Prix, followed by Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and George Russell (Mercedes). Circuit stats include a length of 4.381 km, 14 turns, and Lewis Hamilton holding records for most wins (8) and pole positions (9) at the track. The 2025 winner was Lando Norris (McLaren).

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:44 AM UTC

Red Bull has appointed Gwen Lagrue, a highly regarded talent scout from Mercedes, to lead its junior program, succeeding the long-serving Helmut Marko. Lagrue, known as a 'diamond eye' for discovering drivers like Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, will be tasked with finding the next Max Verstappen. Interestingly, Lagrue nearly signed Verstappen himself while at Lotus but lost out to Red Bull. He has worked for Mercedes since 2016, restructuring their junior department. The move was orchestrated by Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, a fellow Frenchman. Lagrue is expected to start in 2027, with Mercedes likely requiring a period of gardening leave before he can begin his new role.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:01 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton has acknowledged he needs to improve his performance ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, following a crash during final practice at the Belgian GP that compromised his weekend. The Ferrari driver finished fourth at Spa-Francorchamps, behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished just two seconds behind race winner Kimi Antonelli. Hamilton admitted he 'can't afford' weekends like that and plans to increase his focus. Ferrari is expected to perform strongly at the Hungaroring, a circuit that suits their car's cornering strengths. Hamilton, a record eight-time winner in Hungary, is currently 45 points behind championship leader Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship standings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 12:00 PM UTC

Andrea Kimi Antonelli extended his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points by winning the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, his sixth victory of the 2026 season. After building a 66-point lead in Monaco, Antonelli saw his advantage slashed to 25 points following a series of misfortunes, including a late retirement in Barcelona and a point-less finish at Silverstone. He bounced back at Spa, converting pole position into a win. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, and Max Verstappen took third for Red Bull. Title rival George Russell retired on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton, dropping to third in the standings. Hamilton finished fourth but received a penalty for causing the collision. In the constructors' championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 73 points. Cadillac remains the only team without points after 10 rounds.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 08:14 PM UTC

This article from Sky Sports provides a comprehensive breakdown of the 2026 Formula 1 team-mate head-to-head statistics following the Belgian Grand Prix. It covers all 11 teams, detailing qualifying, sprint, and grand prix scores between each pair of drivers. Key highlights include Kimi Antonelli leading George Russell at Mercedes with 204 points to 154, Lewis Hamilton outperforming Charles Leclerc at Ferrari (159-126 points), and Max Verstappen dominating Isack Hadjar at Red Bull in both qualifying and race counts. Other notable matchups include Lando Norris leading Oscar Piastri at McLaren in qualifying but trailing in race wins, and Oliver Bearman significantly outperforming Esteban Ocon at Haas. The data reflects the competitive dynamics within each team as the season progresses.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:30 PM UTC

Martin Brundle analyzes the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, highlighting Kimi Antonelli's dominant victory and ongoing issues for George Russell, including a clash with Lewis Hamilton and battery power problems. Brundle criticizes the current F1 power unit regulations that have dulled high-speed corners at Spa and Silverstone, calling for a major philosophy change. He notes the race was held in sunny conditions with a safety car deployment, and praises the circuit improvements but laments the loss of driver-defining corners due to hybrid battery charging requirements. The article also previews the upcoming Hungarian GP.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:10 PM UTC

At the Belgian Grand Prix on July 20, 2026, Mercedes driver George Russell spun and retired on the opening lap after contact with Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton. The incident has sparked debate over whether Hamilton's subsequent penalty was justified. The article, published by Sky Sports, examines the collision from new angles and questions the fairness of the penalty imposed on Hamilton, who now drives for Ferrari. The crash ended Russell's race early, adding tension to the rivalry between the former Mercedes teammates.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:07 AM UTC

Formula 1 heads to the Hungaroring for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix, the final race before the summer break. The event, broadcast live on Sky Sports, takes place from July 24-26. Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship after his victory in Belgium, holding a 45-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. The tight, twisty Hungaroring circuit is expected to suit Ferrari, with Hamilton and Charles Leclerc potential contenders. McLaren, winners of the past two years, bring a major upgrade package. The article provides the full UK TV schedule, including practice, qualifying, and the race on Sunday at 2pm BST. Dry and warm weather is forecast for the weekend. The piece also highlights key historical moments at the track, such as Michael Schumacher's 1998 win and Esteban Ocon's 2021 victory.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 05:00 AM UTC

Kimi Antonelli, 19, won the Belgian Grand Prix for Mercedes, extending his Formula 1 championship lead to 45 points over Lewis Hamilton after 10 of 22 rounds. The Italian driver admitted he could not have imagined this dominant position a year ago when he reached 'rock bottom' during his rookie 2025 campaign, which included a dismal run of poor results. Despite recent bad luck—an engine failure in Barcelona and a wheel-guard failure at Silverstone—Antonelli's pace over teammate George Russell has made him the clear title favorite. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff expressed surprise at Antonelli's remarkable consistency in 2026, while Antonelli himself remains cautious, refusing to relax given how quickly the situation can change.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 06:00 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed relief after his Ferrari struck a mechanic during a pit stop at the Belgian Grand Prix, an incident that resulted in a €30,000 fine for the team (€10,000 suspended). Hamilton, who was given the green light to leave the pit box, immediately stopped the car upon realizing the mechanic was hit. The mechanic was unhurt. Hamilton's mind flashed back to a 2018 incident where Kimi Raikkonen broke a mechanic's leg. The stewards determined Hamilton suffered a 'sporting disadvantage' due to the delay, so no sporting penalty was imposed, and he retained his fourth-place finish. The result moved Hamilton to second in the Drivers' Championship, 45 points behind race winner Kimi Antonelli.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 04:45 PM UTC

George Russell expressed frustration after a first-lap collision with teammate Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, which forced Russell to retire from the race. The incident occurred on the opening lap, ending Russell's race prematurely. Russell stated, 'It shouldn't have happened,' reflecting his disappointment. The article, published by Record Portugal on July 19, 2026, includes multiple images of the crash and Russell leaving his car. The collision between the two Mercedes drivers highlights intra-team tensions and the high-stakes nature of Formula 1 racing.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:55 PM UTC

The article covers a post-race analysis by former F1 driver Karun Chandhok on Sky Sports' SkyPad, examining whether Lewis Hamilton should have received a five-second penalty for a collision with George Russell on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. Chandhok breaks down the incident to determine if it was a racing incident or a punishable offense. The analysis focuses on the specific moment of contact between the two Mercedes drivers, evaluating fault and the stewards' decision-making process. The piece highlights the ongoing debate within the F1 community about consistency in penalty enforcement.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:13 PM UTC

George Russell says a power issue with his Mercedes left him vulnerable to a first-lap collision with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix, resulting in Russell's retirement from the race. Russell started third but lost positions on the Kemmel Straight before attempting to reclaim third from Hamilton. The contact spun Russell into the gravel. Hamilton received a five-second penalty for causing the collision, but Russell expressed more frustration with his car's lack of power than with his former teammate. The incident dealt a major blow to Russell's title hopes, dropping him 50 points behind championship leader and Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who won the race. Russell had previously complained about power issues in qualifying and remains puzzled by his pace deficit to Antonelli.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 03:00 PM UTC

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed pole position for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, beating Max Verstappen by 0.317 seconds. Lando Norris qualified third but dropped to 13th due to a ten-place grid penalty for exceeding control electronics limits, promoting George Russell to third. Multiple drivers, including Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, also received penalties, reshuffling the grid. Antonelli dedicated the pole to his father. The race is scheduled for Sunday.

10 reports · 6 sources · Updated Jul 19, 02:52 PM UTC

George Russell has reversed his earlier claim that his driving style was the reason for his pace deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Speaking after qualifying for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix, where Antonelli took pole and Russell finished 0.5 seconds behind, Russell stated that the team has ruled out driving style as the cause after extensive changes. He described the situation as 'battling with one hand behind your back' and noted that the gap has been present since Austria, with losses of up to seven-tenths in practice. Russell qualified fourth but will start third due to a penalty for Lando Norris. Sky Sports F1 analyst Karun Chandhok expressed confusion over the contradiction with earlier team statements. Russell trails Antonelli by 25 points in the championship.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 18, 05:00 PM UTC

George Russell, 28, is struggling in the 2026 Formula 1 season, trailing his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, 19, by 25 points in the championship. Antonelli has five wins to Russell's two. Before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Russell offered a peculiar explanation for his struggles: he compared adapting to the new regulations—including a new power unit, tires, and car design—to being asked to draw the Mona Lisa with the original right next to you, requiring practice to replicate. Russell noted that Antonelli, with only one prior season in F1, has less ingrained driving habits, while Russell must consciously unlearn old techniques that once came subconsciously. Despite the gap, Russell insists he knows exactly what to fix based on data and aims to close the deficit at Spa on Sunday.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 07:17 PM UTC

George Russell, Mercedes Formula 1 driver, has struggled this season against his younger teammate Kimi Antonelli. Before the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa, Russell used a bizarre Mona Lisa analogy to explain his deficit. He compared adapting to new regulations (power unit, tires, car changes) to being asked to draw the Mona Lisa from memory—something that requires practice. Russell, 28, noted that Antonelli, 19, has an advantage because he only had one season in the old era, while Russell must unlearn old habits. Currently, Antonelli leads Russell by 25 points, with five wins to Russell's two. Russell insists he knows exactly what he needs to improve based on data and aims to close the gap further at Spa.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 07:17 PM UTC

Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari can reduce their deficit to rivals during the Belgian Grand Prix weekend, despite admitting the gap in Friday practice was 'bigger than anticipated'. Hamilton finished close to Red Bull's Max Verstappen in first practice but was seven-tenths behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in second practice. Antonelli leads the championship standings, with Hamilton third. Hamilton noted Ferrari needs to improve in the middle sector. Verstappen, who topped FP1 but was third in FP2, said Red Bull's balance was good but unsure of further pace. McLaren's Lando Norris, second in FP2, faces a 10-place grid penalty. The article includes driver reactions and analysis of team performances at Spa-Francorchamps.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 06:30 PM UTC

World championship leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes topped the second practice session at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, finishing nearly two-tenths of a second ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. Antonelli recovered from an off-pace first practice to dominate, while his Mercedes teammate George Russell, second in the standings, struggled to eighth place, 1.285 seconds behind. Max Verstappen, who led first practice for Red Bull, finished third but complained about gear shift issues. Lewis Hamilton was fourth for Ferrari, outpacing his teammate Charles Leclerc who managed only 11th. The session featured two red flags: one for gravel on track and another for a crash involving Alpine's Pierre Gasly, which ended the session early. Franco Colapinto impressed in seventh for Alpine, while Oscar Piastri dealt with a hydraulic issue in sixth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:05 PM UTC

Max Verstappen surprisingly set the fastest time in first practice for the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, outpacing Lewis Hamilton by 0.145 seconds. Charles Leclerc was third, two-tenths off the pace. Red Bull, yet to win a race in 2026, showed strong early speed with Isack Hadjar fourth. Mercedes struggled, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli sixth (0.533s behind) and George Russell eighth. Antonelli is near his engine limit after a potential problem with his Silverstone power unit; a new engine would trigger a 10-grid penalty. Lando Norris already has a penalty for exceeding control electronics limits. Oscar Piastri finished fifth but suffered a late hydraulics issue. Verstappen's future remains uncertain amid talks between his management and McLaren, but a strong Red Bull car could keep him at the team.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 12:35 PM UTC

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell has disclosed that his iconic 'T-pose,' which became a viral sensation and a staple of his victory celebrations, was created entirely by accident. The moment occurred during a late-night photoshoot for the 2023 F1 season introduction. Exhausted and bored around 11:30 PM, Russell rested his hands against the wall while waiting for the next shot. A producer noticed the stance, deemed it 'cool,' and instructed photographers to capture it. Russell humorously acknowledged the unintentional creation in a recent Q&A video, expressing gratitude to the unnamed director. Since then, the pose has gained significant traction on social media, with fans frequently recreating it. Russell officially incorporated the gesture into his post-race routines, notably performing it after winning the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix. The article also provides context on Russell's current performance in the 2026 season, noting his early wins in Australia and China, but highlighting that he has since fallen behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings by 20 points after the first four rounds.

1 reports · 1 sources

Formula 1 returns to Montreal for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, featuring a Sprint weekend format scheduled for May 22-24. This event marks a significant calendar shift, as the race moves from its traditional June slot to May to streamline the European season. Teenager Kimi Antonelli enters the race with momentum, having won the last three Grands Prix to establish a 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in the Drivers' Championship. Russell faces pressure to perform on a track he previously won, especially after McLaren's Lando Norris challenged Antonelli closely in Miami. Both Mercedes and McLaren have introduced new developments, potentially altering the competitive order against rivals like Ferrari and Red Bull. Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time winner in Canada, aims to recover form after recent disappointments. The article provides a detailed UK broadcast schedule for Sky Sports F1, covering all sessions from practice to the Sprint race. Weather forecasts predict mid-high teens temperatures with possible showers. The Circuit Gilles Villeneuve remains a challenging venue, known for its tricky chicanes and the infamous Wall of Champions, which continues to test driver precision under the new 2026 regulations.

1 reports · 1 sources

Former Formula 1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has predicted that the 2026 World Championship will be contested primarily between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli, explicitly ruling out George Russell as a contender. Despite Mercedes dominating the grid early in the season, Ecclestone highlights the disruptive impact of 19-year-old Italian prodigy Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli has secured three consecutive victories, including a recent win in Miami, establishing a 20-point lead over his teammate Russell and seizing technical control within the Mercedes garage. Conversely, Ecclestone warns that Red Bull is overcoming its initial slump. Following significant upgrades to the RB22 car, Max Verstappen has regained competitive form, posing a serious threat despite trailing Antonelli by 74 points after four races. Ecclestone draws parallels to Verstappen’s historical ability to dominate the second half of seasons. The analysis suggests an intense generational duel is imminent, pitting Antonelli’s raw talent against Verstappen’s experience and ferocity. This prediction shifts the narrative away from Russell, who was previously considered the favorite, positioning the championship as a two-horse race between the rising star and the reigning champion.

1 reports · 1 sources

The 2026 Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix is set to take place at the historic Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal from May 22 to May 24. This event features a sprint format, adding strategic complexity to the championship battle. The weekend begins on Friday with free practice and sprint qualifying, followed by the sprint race and main qualifying on Saturday. The main race concludes the event on Sunday. The circuit, located on Notre Dame Island, is known for its high-speed straights, technical chicanes, and the infamous Wall of Champions, often leading to unpredictable races influenced by weather and safety cars. For Argentine viewers, the time difference allows for live afternoon broadcasts. Coverage is available via Fox Sports, Disney+ Premium, and F1 TV, offering comprehensive access including onboard cameras and team radios. Currently, Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship with 100 points, followed by George Russell and Charles Leclerc. The sprint format introduces additional points opportunities, making each session critical for drivers competing in a tightly contested season.

1 reports · 1 sources