Nico Rosberg, Formula 1 champion in 2016, has stated that George Russell is finally one of the best drivers after a complicated start to the 2026 season. Following a promising performance in Australia, where he won the race and the long race in China, Russell has been facing several setbacks, such as poorly coordinated safety moments and mechanical problems with the vehicle.
His young teammate, Kimi Antonelli, took advantage of this situation, leading the standings and achieving six victories in the early events of the season. However, Russell has returned renewed after the summer break, winning the sprint race in the Netherlands and qualifying second for the Dutch Grand Prix.
In a conversation with Sky Sports F1, Rosberg commented that Russell’s lack of speed at the start of the season surprised everyone. He pointed out that despite the bad experiences he had, his speed had not been what was expected, and Antonelli had proven to be faster.
“It’s great to see him back to his best level this weekend, he seems to be really in shape. Maybe his mindset has changed after that bad start,” said Rosberg, adding that seeing this is what everyone expects from him.
Russell, for his part, indicated that he feels more comfortable with the car. “I hope this form continues. The car feels more intuitive and I have more confidence. Now, things flow more naturally,” he declared.
The Mercedes driver anticipates an interesting challenge in the next race, predicting that both Ferrari and Lando Norris will be dangerous rivals. With this new motivation, Russell aims to establish himself as an indispensable force in the competition.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
