Formula 1’s newest champion celebrated in Mexico City. Across the garage, his teammate was struggling to process it. Now he has broken his silence with an emotional message.
George Russell said 2026 was the first season of his career with more bad days than good in a candid statement Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, a day after his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli clinched the world championship.
What did George Russell say about his Mercedes teammate?
Russell sincerely congratulated Antonelli on what he called an absolutely incredible season and said his Mercedes teammate truly deserves the championship. He had also congratulated him in person after Sunday’s race.
He thanked Mercedes for producing the best car and engine this season and said it was inspiring to see the team come together over four tough years to return to the top. The championship marked a return to dominance for a team that had gone through several lean years.
Russell said the season began exactly as he hoped but quickly unraveled because of bad luck and poor performances. He said he gave it everything but that 2026 was not meant to be his year. He called it the first proper season of his career where the bad days outnumbered the good ones.
Why did Russell skip the media?
Russell did not speak to reporters after the race in Mexico City. The Mercedes team principal said Russell was distraught and described it as a catastrophic moment for him. His absence from the usual interviews drew attention as the team celebrated.
In his statement, Russell said it felt like the right time to speak from the heart. He posted the message on social media.
How did the season slip away from Russell?
Russell entered the year as a strong favorite and won the opening race. But his Mercedes teammate then won five straight races and never looked back.
Russell struggled at times as the season went on, including finishing eighth at the U.S. Grand Prix, after which he said second place in the standings meant nothing to him. He had also dealt with a car that his camp felt did not always suit his driving style.
The gap between Russell and his Mercedes teammate grew as Antonelli piled up wins and became the youngest champion in the sport’s history.
What is the history between Russell and Mercedes?
Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after the team had won eight straight constructors’ championships. His arrival coincided with a major rule change, and the team won only a handful of races until this season. That streak ran from 2014 through 2021.
New rules for 2026 introduced engines that split power almost evenly between combustion and electric components. Mercedes began the new era as the team to beat. That gave both drivers a car capable of fighting for the title.
Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas and became Lewis Hamilton’s teammate before Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025, opening the seat for Antonelli. Russell has won several races for Mercedes since joining the team.
What comes next for Russell and his Mercedes teammate?
Russell promised to give his absolute all for the rest of this season and next to rediscover the form he has shown for most of his career. He added that he hopes a little luck returns.
The team now has two drivers capable of winning, and how Russell and his Mercedes teammate work together next season will be one of the sport’s biggest storylines.
For now, Russell’s gracious words toward his Mercedes teammate show a driver trying to turn disappointment into motivation. His response may set the tone for a fascinating 2027 season.
