Russell speaks out after Antonelli’s title triumph

George Russell posted his first public comments on Monday after missing his post-race media duties, for which the FIA fined Mercedes €5,000. The driver chose social media to speak after his team-mate Kimi Antonelli secured the Formula 1 world title.

“Now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart,” Russell wrote on Instagram. He said the season had started as he had hoped before quickly coming apart amid bad luck and poor performances. “It’s been the first proper season of my career where I’ve had more bad days than good,” he said, adding that it had been very difficult to handle and to pick himself up week after week.

Russell also acknowledged moments of confusion while insisting he had given everything. “2026 was not meant to be my year,” he wrote, before congratulating Antonelli. He praised his team-mate’s “absolutely incredible” season and said he truly deserved the championship. Russell also thanked Mercedes for producing the car and power unit, and praised the team’s efforts to return to the top after four difficult years.

The message came after a Mexico race that affected Russell’s championship position. A power-unit issue left him without optimal power from the opening lap, and he has dropped to fourth in the standings. Antonelli has won nine races, compared with Russell’s three.

Toto Wolff had explained that Mercedes excused Russell from media duties after the race. The team boss described him as “distraught” after Antonelli’s title triumph. Wolff also praised Russell for going to congratulate his team-mate, calling it a great show of sportsmanship.

Russell also promised to give his all for the rest of the season and into the next one as he seeks to rediscover his form, while hoping for better luck. His message combined praise for Antonelli and his team with a determination to respond after a campaign he says brought more setbacks than good days.