(Motorsport-Total.com) – Many had expected George Russell to be the man to beat in the 2026 Formula 1 season. During a rather difficult phase in the ground-effect years between 2022 and 2025, he showed strong performances for the Silver Arrows.
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Indeed, the expectation that Mercedes would be at the front at the start of the new era of regulations this year was confirmed. But it is teammate Kimi Antonelli who currently leads the drivers’ championship with a 20-point lead and three wins.
Russell, on the other hand, has been out of form since his victory at the season opener in Australia. In this respect, parallels are emerging between 2025 and the current season, raising the question of whether Russell can take his compatriot Lando Norris as a role model.
In 2025, McLaren entered the new year as favorites after a furious end to the 2024 season, following continuous development from a previously disastrous year that had led Norris to challenge Max Verstappen late in the season for the title fight – ultimately losing to the Dutchman.
The Briton started with a win in Australia, underlining his favorite status by winning from pole position and gaining an early advantage. But for much of the first half of the season, everything wavered.
Norris also slumped after the opening win
A particularly difficult phase became apparent during the fourth race of the season in Bahrain, when Norris fell significantly behind his teammate Oscar Piastri, who collected points diligently with several wins at the start of his third season.
In the third race in Japan, before the trip to the Middle East, Verstappen provided some relief for Red Bull in a difficult start for the reigning world champion and broke the dominance that McLaren had shown in the early phase with a win.
It was not until the eighth race in Monaco that Norris secured his second win of the season, followed by only two more successes before the summer break. But after a retirement in Zandvoort after the summer break, Norris gained the upper hand over Piastri, while the Australian himself slipped into a slump.
The situation became complicated by the comeback of Red Bull and Verstappen in the second half of the season. The Dutchman fought for the title until the last race in Abu Dhabi before Norris finally secured the championship.
Ultimately, Norris had overcome his personal crisis at the start and defeated Piastri in a predominantly internal team title duel.
Why the start of 2026 is reminiscent of 2025
After four races this season, Russell finds himself in a similar situation to Norris a year ago. A convincing win from pole position in Australia met the expectations before the season, but since then the results for Russell have been anything but good.
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In China, Japan, and especially recently in Miami, he was clearly beaten by Antonelli. Similar to Norris, Russell had to wait a long time for his title chance after many years in inferior machinery – and now faces a threat from a new, younger teammate.
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McLaren, similar to Red Bull last year, had their own problems in the first two races but found their way back in Japan. Piastri was denied the chance to repeat Verstappen’s win in Suzuka by an unfortunately timed safety car, although Antonelli’s pace was impressive anyway.
Norris confirmed this improved form for McLaren in Miami but had no answer to the Italian’s speed on race day, while Russell could not intervene in the fight for the podium.
Now Russell must look to Norris’ comeback last year as proof that nothing is lost yet. With 18 races remaining, the 20-point deficit is relatively small. Nevertheless, the current form gives cause for concern.
What could become a problem for Russell
McLaren could become a problem for Mercedes as the season progresses, as could Ferrari and Red Bull, so it will not be an exact repeat of 2025, as more variables come into play that could prevent pure Mercedes dominance.
Added to this is the intense development race at the start of the new regulation cycle, which could turn the balance of power upside down during the season – even though Mercedes was the only top team that did not bring a major upgrade in Miami and could regain an advantage with planned updates in Canada.
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Precisely for this reason, it is crucial that Russell quickly regains his form. A strong result in Montreal would stop the negative trend, bring new momentum, show Antonelli that he is close on his heels, and quickly silence unpleasant questions in the media.
A longer winless phase, on the other hand, could be enough for Antonelli to extend his lead to an uncatchable margin – possibly even before the summer break. That would take any pressure off the teenager, who could otherwise play a role in a later intensified title decision.
Russell must therefore at least put himself in a position to make his teammate’s season finale uncomfortable.
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