Karun Chandhok Backs George Russell for F1 2026 Title

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Karun Chandhok, a former Formula 1 driver, has identified George Russell as the leading favourite for the 2026 drivers’ world championship, stating that the British driver has reached the level required to mount a title challenge under the new regulatory era.

Russell enters the 2026 season as a Mercedes driver at the beginning of Formula 1’s new power unit regulations, a phase widely regarded as his strongest opportunity to fight for a world title to date. Having joined the Brackley-based team in 2022, Russell now combines experience with continuity at a moment of major technical transition.

Mercedes is widely tipped to be the team to beat at the start of the new cycle following an extremely productive test programme in Barcelona. The Silver Arrows completed 502 laps across five days, evoking memories of their dominance when Formula 1 last introduced turbo-hybrid power units.

I believe he is the favourite for the world championship, at least in my view.

Chandhok underlined that major regulatory change places a premium on the integration between chassis and power unit development, arguing that teams with established technical structures are best placed to capitalise early in a new cycle.

With such a big regulation change, having a team where the power unit side and the chassis side are so well integrated will be crucial to success.

In his assessment, Chandhok pointed to Ferrari and Mercedes as the two teams most prepared for the transition, while suggesting Red Bull Racing and Audi may require more time due to their new power unit projects. This structural advantage, he argued, is likely to shape the competitive order at the start of the regulations.

Mercedes and Ferrari, with that integrated structure, should have an advantage at the beginning of a regulation cycle.

Chandhok also assessed Russell’s individual performance level by comparing him directly with Max Verstappen, reinforcing his view that Russell is ready to convert a competitive car into a sustained title challenge.

In my opinion, George Russell was the second-best driver in Formula 1 last season after Max Verstappen, and he is ready to be world champion if the car is capable.