Key Highlights
- Mercedes is considering prioritising George Russell’s bid to finish second in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
- Russell has scored only 26 points across the last five grands prix, while Max Verstappen has taken 116.
- Mercedes has already secured the constructors’ championship, with three rounds remaining if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix proceed as planned.
Mercedes Weighs Full Support for George Russell
Mercedes is considering giving George Russell its full backing in the battle for second place in the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship after a damaging run of results. Three rounds remain in the season, assuming the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix take place as planned, and five drivers remain in contention for the runner-up position.
Max Verstappen currently leads that group on 279 points, ahead of Russell on 262, Lewis Hamilton on 261, Charles Leclerc on 249 and Lando Norris on 246. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already secured his maiden Formula 1 world title after clinching the championship in Mexico.
Russell’s challenge has been weakened by a difficult sequence over the past five grands prix. The Mercedes driver has scored just 26 points during that period, compared with Verstappen’s 116. Russell retired after a power unit failure in Malaysia, crashed out of the sprint and received an engine penalty in Singapore, endured a poor race in Austin, suffered a deployment issue in Mexico and spun at pit exit while running well in Sao Paulo.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said after the Brazilian Grand Prix that the team had not yet finalised its approach, but suggested it could place greater emphasis on Russell’s championship position.
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“I haven’t thought about the drivers’ championship yet,” team principal Toto Wolff commented following the Brazilian Grand Prix, where Mercedes wrapped up the constructors’ championship.
“We absolutely want him to score the maximum and hopefully finish second, and we need to think about what we’re going to do about it, but it could be a possibility that we’re giving it all the force.”
Russell Central to Mercedes’ Constructors’ Success
Mercedes’ victory at Interlagos was the team’s ninth Formula 1 constructors’ championship and its second with Russell. Russell previously contributed three points to Mercedes’ 2020 constructors’ title after standing in for Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix.
Asked how Mercedes could help Russell regain confidence ahead of the 2027 season, Wolff stressed that the team’s championship success belonged to Russell as well. He said Russell had endured particularly difficult moments and deserved to enjoy Mercedes’ achievement after contributing to its title-winning campaign.
“You know, it’s George’s championship today, it’s the constructors’ championship, and he’s part of the team – and I’m really happy that he can cherish this moment, because we owe it to him.
“You know, he had it so tough at times, and yesterday was a good example. He was absolutely dominating the wet qualifying, he should have been on pole easily, and then this last lap took away his pole position.
Wolff added that Mercedes would use the final three races to maximise Russell’s opportunities and expressed confidence that the British driver would recover before the 2027 campaign.
“Now we have three races to go. We’re going to, like I said, go full blast, and he will recover, I have no doubt about that for next year. All the very best sportspeople have gone through difficult periods, and that’s going to be part of his continued development.”
Why This Matters
Mercedes’ constructors’ championship is already secured, allowing the team to focus its remaining races on Russell’s position in the drivers’ standings. With only 17 points separating Verstappen from Russell and just one point between Russell and Hamilton, every result in the final three rounds could significantly change the order.
Russell’s recent setbacks have sharply reduced his advantage over Hamilton while bringing Verstappen into a strong position for second place. Mercedes’ possible decision to give Russell greater team support could therefore become an important factor in the closing stages of the 2026 season, while also providing Russell with an opportunity to rebuild momentum before 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points does George Russell have in the 2026 drivers’ championship?
George Russell has 262 points, placing him second among the drivers competing for the runner-up position behind Max Verstappen.
Which drivers are still fighting for second place?
Max Verstappen, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris remain in contention for second place, with Verstappen on 279 points, Russell on 262, Hamilton on 261, Leclerc on 249 and Norris on 246.
How many races remain in the 2026 season?
Three rounds remain, assuming the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix proceed as planned.
