George Russell Adds Poor 2026 Hungarian F1 Start to Setback List

George Russell believes his starting problem at the 2026 Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix was the latest addition to a growing list of difficulties during the first half of the season.

The Mercedes driver started sixth but immediately dropped towards the rear of the field after his engine entered anti-stall mode.

Russell was forced into a recovery drive from the back of the order. He climbed to seventh by the chequered flag but again lost championship points to team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who finished third.

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“I was on the throttle waiting, and then suddenly the engine was going all over the place. It was revving really high and then really low,” Russell said when explaining the start problem.

The issue erased his entire grid-position advantage within seconds. Russell dropped to the back before gradually passing several drivers during the race.

“Add it to the list of things that have happened in the first half of this year and pray that everything calms down in the second half,” he said.

The Hungarian setback arrived only one week after Russell was eliminated on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix. That run of difficulties has left him further behind in the championship heading into the summer break.

Russell now sits third in the standings with 160 points. He trails Kimi Antonelli, who leads the championship on 219, by 59 points.

Despite his disappointment, Russell is attempting to maintain a positive approach. He admitted he had already gone through a period of frustration over the problems outside his control.

“I am staying positive. I have gone through being so disappointed with everything that has happened in the first half of the year,” Russell said.

He believes a driver must eventually accept that not every outcome can be controlled. However, Russell also acknowledged that there are areas of his own performance that still require improvement.

“At some point, you need to pick yourself up and accept that there are many things outside your control that may work against you,” he said.

“There are things in my control that I need to do better, and I will continue working on that. Of course, I am not happy with how things have gone, but I am going to stay positive and keep pushing,” Russell concluded.