George Russell is embracing Mercedes’ recent struggles, insisting that their downturn in form was necessary to “break the mold” before Formula 1’s crucial 2026 regulation overhaul.
Since joining the Silver Arrows in 2022, Russell has outscored Lewis Hamilton twice in three seasons, but Mercedes has failed to reclaim its dominance, going winless in multiple campaigns for the first time since the turbo-hybrid era began in 2014.
Now, as he steps into a leadership role within the team, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli as his new teammate, Russell believes that Mercedes’ pain in the past seasons could be the key to their future success.
‘We Needed These Years to Reset’—Russell on Mercedes’ Decline
Speaking at a Mercedes event with Adidas, Russell acknowledged the frustration of recent seasons but maintained that these setbacks will pay off when the 2026 regulations take effect.
“It’s been a tough couple of years. Of course, we haven’t had anywhere close to the success that we hoped for and worked towards,” Russell told Sky Sports.
“But I feel like we almost needed those years to reset, to change the mold, to start fresh.”
With a complete regulation shift coming in 2026, Russell emphasized how crucial it is to lay the groundwork now.
“Next year is going to be huge for every team. We know that if you start on the right track, it can set you up for years to come.”
Despite several underwhelming seasons, Mercedes still flashed moments of brilliance in 2024—including a Las Vegas Grand Prix 1-2 finish, where Russell converted pole position into victory.
This, according to Russell, is proof that Mercedes is ready to fight again.
‘I’m Ready to Win a Championship’—Russell Eyes 2025 Title Shot
Asked whether he feels ready to challenge for a world title, Russell gave a confident response.
“Yeah, absolutely. I feel ready. Everybody in the team is so motivated.”
The 26-year-old Briton believes Mercedes has already proven that when a winning opportunity arises, they capitalize.
“These years have been trial and error, but every time we’ve had a chance to win, we’ve won. And that’s what gives me the optimism that if we have the car, we can achieve it.”
Although Red Bull and Max Verstappen remain the clear favorites, Mercedes is determined to close the gap in 2025 before making their big push in 2026.
“We’re working as hard as we can to make it this year, but everybody is fully on board and it’s going to be an exciting season.”
Is Mercedes on Track for a 2025 Comeback?
While 2026 represents a major reset for all teams, Mercedes still has one more season under the current regulations to prove they can fight at the front.
- Red Bull remains the benchmark, but Mercedes’ improved performances in 2024 suggest they are not far off.
- Russell is stepping into a leadership role, with Antonelli replacing Hamilton—a dynamic that could reshape the team’s structure.
- If the W16 delivers a more competitive package, Russell could finally get his shot at a sustained title challenge.
The pressure is on—but George Russell is ready for the fight.
