George Russell entered the 2026 season as the heavy favourite for the Formula 1 title, but reality on track has told a different story. He now sits 81 points behind his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli with just nine rounds remaining. Yet Toto Wolff remains adamant that Russell has what it takes to become world champion in the future.
“You can have good races, bad races, good years and bad years, but we're talking about the driver that has won everything that you could have potentially won before,” Wolff said at the Spanish Grand Prix, as quoted by Autosport. “Every single karting championship, Formula 3 in his rookie year, Formula 2 in his rookie year, went into the Williams. We're talking about the top driver.”
Russell's pedigree is undeniable, but 2026 has turned into a nightmare. Kimi Antonelli, in only his second season, has been sensational, capitalising on the formidable W16. Back-to-back wins in Monza and Spain have put the Italian on the brink of becoming F1's youngest ever champion.
The psychological toll on Russell is clear. “If you have a run like him this year, you're taking a beating,” Wolff added. “But the great ones, they recover. And I think that George has all it needs to fight for championships and even if that one has maybe sailed, there will be more.”
The Spanish Grand Prix was a particular low point. Russell started from the front row while Antonelli lined up 19th, yet the Italian stormed to victory. Russell later admitted, “I don't think I am in the fight” for the title.
Wolff is unconcerned about the pressure affecting Antonelli. “Kimi from his personality, so grounded, 100% racer, not distracted from anything outside, super family situation and that's why I see no risk that he's losing the plot because he's so dominant,” he explained. “I promise you he's not thinking about it. The way this kid is able to compartmentalise and be the young kid and then get into the car and be the mature racing driver, that's why if Kimi says to himself, I'm not thinking about the championship, he's not.”
With nine races left, Antonelli is on the verge of glory, while Russell must dig deep to prove that this season is just a bump in the road, not the end of his title dreams.
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