Mercedes Weighs Making Russell Its Priority Driver for Remaining F1 Races
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is considering giving George Russell full backing in the three remaining Formula 1 races, in a bid to secure second place in the drivers' standings. After the Brazilian Grand Prix, Russell is third, 17 points behind Max Verstappen.
Toto Wolff, head of the Formula 1 team Mercedes, is considering naming British driver George Russell as the priority driver for the final three races of the 2026 season. The aim is to help him finish second in the F1 drivers' championship. No decision has been made, and the move would also affect teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has already become world champion.
The Brazilian Grand Prix
On Sunday at the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo, Mercedes clinched the Constructors' Cup early, but Russell's race was a difficult one. On Saturday he lost the fight for pole position to Lando Norris, he started the race with a five-place penalty, and he later slid off at the pit lane exit after switching from intermediate tyres to slicks. He still finished fourth, ahead of Antonelli.
F1 TV commentator and former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe said in the post-race broadcast that Russell has every right to feel shattered. He pointed to a punishing season, many setbacks, and the difficulty of keeping up motivation over such a long campaign.
The battle for second place
Russell began the season as the main title favourite, winning the opening race in Australia and then the sprint race in China. A series of problems followed, most of them outside his control, while Antonelli went on to take nine wins and the world title.
Over the last five races Russell has lost 90 points to Verstappen. Verstappen is currently second with 279 points and Russell third with 262, ahead of Lewis Hamilton (261), Charles Leclerc (249) and Norris (246).
Comments from Wolff and Russell
Wolff said the team has not yet thought about the order of its drivers in the championship, but wants Russell to get the maximum and hopefully finish second. He suggested the team could give it everything for that goal.
Russell himself admitted the team struggled with the intermediate tyres late in the race, but said he left the weekend inspired by his own performance. He stressed that winning the Constructors' Cup is an incredible achievement for the team.
