Russell says F1 title loss ‘tough to deal with’

George Russell said his difficult 2026 season had been “tough to deal with” after Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 drivers’ title. Russell, who began the year as favourite and won the opening race, congratulated Antonelli and said he deserved the championship.

Russell has won three races to Antonelli’s nine and is now fourth in the standings. In Mexico, an energy deployment glitch contributed to a poor start, then Russell hit Isack Hadjar and received a 10-second penalty; team principal Toto Wolff excused him from post-race media duties after seeing how upset he was. Antonelli praised Russell’s speed and said he expected him to return to form.