George Russell, Mercedes driver, is going through a complicated moment in the 2026 season after his retirement at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. A collision with his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, on the first lap left him stuck in the gravel, although he had already suffered an elasticity issue at the start.
These setbacks have negatively impacted Russell’s title fight, as he now occupies third place in the championship, with a 50-point deficit to leader Kimi Antonelli, after starting the weekend just 25 points behind him.
Juan Pablo Montoya, former Formula 1 driver, pointed out that these difficult moments can ultimately be beneficial for Russell. On the post-race radio show _F1 TV_, Montoya commented that ‘being in this low moment is a good thing for him’ and that facing these challenges could lead him to become a better driver.
Montoya also praised Mercedes’ attitude towards their drivers, emphasizing that the team never blames them in public. ‘Mercedes manages and cares for their drivers in an exemplary manner, which helps Russell feel supported and valued within the team,’ he added.
With only one event before the summer break, the next appointment is the Hungarian Grand Prix, which will take place from July 24 to 26.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
