Russell questions his bad luck in the 2026 season

George Russell, in his remarks to the media before the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, questioned the "terrible bad luck" he has suffered in the 2026 Formula 1 season. Speaking for the first time since his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli became world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Russell raised the question of whether the setbacks he has faced have been happening too often.

In Mexico, Russell started from the front row, very close to pole position. However, a software fault ruined his start, and he lost several positions on the first lap. Fourth in the standings, Russell finds himself behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Russell accepted that Antonelli is 130 points ahead of him, and he wants an answer from his team about why he has faced so many technical problems.

Russell said the season has not gone the way he wanted and that his performance has not been good enough. He stated that he should ask whether the problems this season are down to chance or a recurring pattern, and said he wants to regain confidence and momentum in Sao Paulo.