George Russell breaks silence with heartfelt message after Kimi Antonelli’s F1 title win

Novembro 2, 2026 lojamais44@gmail.com

George Russell has shared a heartfelt message after missing media duties following the Mexican Grand Prix.

The Briton admitted that “2026 was not meant to be my year” in a long message to his fans on social media after his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli claimed his maiden championship at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

Russell entered the 2026 season as a clear favourite to win the title. But after he won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race, he watched on as Antonelli took the lead of the standings in Japan and continued to extend his advantage in the championship.

The 28-year-old’s absence from the post-race media sessions appears to have prompted a message to his fans. “Now feels like a pretty suitable moment to speak from the heart,” he wrote.

“This season started off exactly how I had hoped but it very quickly unravelled with tough luck and poor performances. It’s been the first proper season of my career where I’ve had more bad days than good.

“All I know is that I’ve given it my all and 2026 was not meant to be my year. I want to sincerely congratulate Kimi on what has been an absolutely incredible season. You truly deserve the championship.

“Thank you to the team for producing the best car and power unit this season; it’s been inspiring to see everyone coming together over four tough years to bring Mercedes back to the top.

“Now, all I can promise is that 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. Thanks all.”

Russell is still in the fight for second in the drivers’ championship. While his sixth-place finish in Mexico dropped him from second to fourth, there are still only 16 points between Max Verstappen in second and Charles Leclerc in fifth.