George Russell continues to struggle to find consistency alongside Kimi Antonelli in the 2026 Formula 1 season, and Mercedes admits it still hasn’t fully understood the difference. The team principal, Toto Wolff, stated that the team needs to analyze the problem to find a way to unlock the full potential of the Briton again.
Read more F1: Alonso points to legacy in Spain as his greatest pride in his career
Russell started the season with a win at the Australian GP, but has only crossed the finish line first once since then. Antonelli, on the other hand, already has eight wins and has opened an 81-point lead over his teammate.
The difference was also evident at the Spanish GP, according to Wolff. The executive highlighted that Russell showed a very strong pace after the tire change and was even the fastest driver on track, while closing in on Charles Leclerc, but Mercedes cannot identify why this performance does not appear consistently.
“After the tire change, the pace was there. I just don’t know where it is. We have to analyze because it’s clearly in him, it’s in the car, and we need to unlock it,” Wolff said.
Read more F1: Antonelli reveals dream of connecting with fans like Valentino Rossi did
Russell has already suggested a possible explanation for his difficulties. According to the British driver, the characteristics of this year’s cars, after the regulation changes, favor a driving technique based on higher rotation on corner entry and active weight transfer, while he prefers smoother and more geometric movements.
Despite the situation, Wolff said that the difference between the two sides of the garage is part of his job: “The only thing I can try is to be transparent and honest about things. We talk about every scenario and give the greatest possible support to both drivers, regardless of what happens,” he said.
The Mercedes chief added that his approach may vary depending on the situation, from offering emotional support to increasing pressure on the driver. Russell, for his part, has already acknowledged that the title fight is out of his control and stated that, at this moment, Antonelli deserves to be in the lead.
Read more F1: Leclerc points out advantage of Mercedes engine and talks about “vicious circle”
