Russell ‘exhausted’ from constantly picking himself back up

George Russell says he is exhausted by repeatedly recovering from setbacks in a season that has fallen short of his expectations. His sixth-place finish in Mexico, after starting on the front row and seeing his car slow, cost him a chance at a podium or victory as teammate Kimi Antonelli finished third.

Russell said technical problems had affected him at 14 races, though he does not blame the team or bad luck alone for his title challenge faltering. Mercedes’ car has been fast but unreliable this year, compared with last year’s reliable but slower car; the Sao Paulo Grand Prix could secure the 2026 constructors’ title for the team.