Russell speaks from the heart after Antonelli's title — SkimNews
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- George Russell posted on Instagram on Monday 2 November 2026 — his first public comments after skipping mandatory post-race media duties at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix — opening with "now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart".
- Russell said the season "started off exactly how I had hoped" but "very quickly unravelled with tough luck and poor performances", calling it his first proper campaign with "more bad days than good" and adding that "2026 was not meant to be my year".
- Toto Wolff revealed Russell was "distraught" in Mexico and went home after congratulating Antonelli on becoming world champion.
- FIA gave Mercedes a €5,000 (£4,173) fine because Russell missed his mandatory post-race media duties.
- Kimi Antonelli became F1's youngest ever world champion at the age of 20 with four rounds remaining, having won nine races compared to Russell's three.
- Russell, who began the season as the clear title favourite, dropped to fourth in the Drivers' Championship after a power unit issue left him with sub-optimal power on the opening lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Mercedes was credited by Russell with producing the best car and power unit of the season, and he thanked the team for four tough years bringing the marque back to the top while promising to give "my absolute all" for the rest of 2026 and into the next season.
Why it matters: Antonelli's title is secured with four rounds remaining and a 9-3 win gap over Russell, who has fallen to fourth, so 2026 is a lost championship for the pre-season favourite. Russell's post still credits Mercedes with "the best car and power unit" and promises a recovery push into Sao Paulo on 8 November.
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