Russell speaks from the heart after teammate clinches title

Mercedes driver George Russell took to Instagram on Monday to “speak from the heart” after his teammate Kimi Antonelli clinched the F1 Drivers' Championship on Sunday.

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, said Russell was “distraught” in Mexico and returned home after congratulating Antonelli on becoming world champion.

The FIA imposed a €5,000 (£4,173) fine on Mercedes because Russell missed the mandatory media duties after the Mexico City Grand Prix.

“Now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart,” Russell wrote, adding that the season began as he had hoped but quickly unraveled with “tough luck and poor performances.”

He described the year as the first in his career with “more bad days than good,” acknowledging the difficulty of coping week in, week out and the frequent confusion, but insisting he gave it his all and that “2026 was not meant to be my year.”

Russell continued, “I want to sincerely congratulate Kimi on what has been an absolutely incredible season. You truly deserve the Championship.”

He thanked the team for delivering “the best car and power unit this season” and noted that “it’s been inspiring to see everyone coming together over four tough years to bring Mercedes back to the top.”

Looking ahead, Russell promised, “for the rest of this season, and into the next one, I will be giving my absolute all to rediscover the performance I have been capable of producing for the majority of my career and fingers crossed a little bit of luck returns.”

After a power‑unit issue left him with sub‑optimal power on the opening lap in Mexico, Russell has dropped to fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

Fans can watch Friday’s practice sessions for the São Paulo Grand Prix at 3.30 pm and 7 pm, live on Sky Sports F1.