Russell says it was just not his year, congratulates Antonelli

George Russell spoke candidly on Monday, stating that the 2026 season was not his year and commending his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli for securing the Formula One title. The British driver was granted a pass on media duties following Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, with team principal Toto Wolff revealing that Russell was deeply distressed about the day's events.

Russell started the race strongly on the front row but experienced a sudden slowdown, costing him significant ground. He concluded the race in sixth place, with Wolff acknowledging that the team had let him down. Reflecting on the season, Russell said, "This has been the first proper season of my career where I've had more bad days than good."

He admitted that it has been challenging to deal with, both personally and professionally, and acknowledged the confusion that often accompanied the situation. Despite the difficulties, Russell emphasized that he had given his all to the 2026 season, and he vowed to give his absolute best in the remainder of the year and the next one, hoping for a return of the performance he has showcased throughout his career.