Sports · Motorsport · 4 hrs ago
Mercedes may prioritize George Russell in F1 runner-up battle
Kimi Antonelli has already won the 2026 Formula One drivers’ title, leaving the runner-up position to be decided.
George Russell is one of five drivers still in the fight, alongside Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris.
Three races remain, assuming the Qatar and Abu Dhabi grands prix go ahead as planned.
Russell scored 26 points over the last five races, while Verstappen scored 116, cutting Russell’s chances of finishing second.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the team may give Russell “all the force” to help him secure second place.
Mercedes has already clinched the constructors’ championship, and Wolff said the team would go “full blast” in the remaining races.
Wolff also said he expects Russell to recover from his difficult run ahead of the 2027 season.
Mercedes is considering giving George Russell stronger team support as he seeks second place in the 2026 drivers’ championship.
Team principal Toto Wolff said the team wants Russell to score the maximum and may give him “all the force.”
Russell has scored 26 points over the last five grands prix, compared with Max Verstappen’s 116.
With three rounds remaining, Verstappen leads the runner-up contest on 279 points, ahead of Russell on 262.
Kimi Antonelli has already clinched the drivers’ title, while Mercedes secured the constructors’ championship at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
- Who
- Mercedes and George Russell, with team principal Toto Wolff discussing the team’s approach.
- What
- Mercedes may give Russell stronger support to help him finish second in the drivers’ championship.
- When
- After the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix, with three rounds remaining in the season.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Russell is seeking second place after a difficult run of results, and Mercedes wants him to score the maximum.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Kimi Antonelli clinched his maiden Formula 1 world title.
Russell scored 26 points, while Verstappen scored 116.
Mercedes secured the constructors’ championship, and Wolff discussed supporting Russell in the remaining races.
Wolff said there were three races left in the season.
- Russell’s points over five grands prix
- 26
- Verstappen’s points over five grands prix
- 116
- Points after Mexico
- Verstappen 279; Russell 262; Hamilton 261; Leclerc 249; Norris 246
- Races remaining
- 3
- Mercedes constructors’ titles
- 9, including its 2026 title at the Brazilian Grand Prix
What people are saying
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.
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.