George Russell rules out driving style as reason for Mercedes pace deficit

George Russell has ruled out his driving style as the reason for his pace deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix. The Brit, who started the season as the title favorite, now trails the 19-year-old Italian by 25 points in the championship.

What happened at the Belgian GP?

Russell finished more than half a second behind Antonelli in qualifying on Saturday, July 18, 2026. Despite changing his driving style, he admitted the team is still searching for answers. Russell said, 'We thought it was in the driving style and technique, but we have finally concluded it's not.'

Why is this a setback for Russell?

The Brit has been perplexed by his struggles, especially after Antonelli took pole at Spa. Russell revealed the team saw signs of the issue as early as Austria. He added, 'There was fourth tenths in the straights in Q3. It's frustrating.'

What’s next for Russell and Mercedes?

Russell will start third on the grid after Lando Norris' penalty. Despite his pace issues, he remains confident. 'I feel confident head-to-head I can achieve it,' he said. The team is working hard to identify the root cause of the deficit.