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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.
In short
- Antonelli won the 2026 drivers’ title.
- Russell has three wins to Antonelli’s nine.
- Russell says he will work to regain his form.
Explained simply
Formula 1 is a series of motor races in which drivers compete for individual titles while racing for teams. Mercedes is one of the teams, and George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are its drivers; their results are shaped by both their driving and the performance of the car.
The drivers’ championship is decided by points earned across the season, with race wins worth more than lower finishing places. Teammates can compete for the same title even as they share a team, so a season’s results can shift expectations about each driver’s standing and prospects.
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