George Russell has admitted he was at a “low point” before closing his title-race deficit to Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli over the last two rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Russell won in Austria on Sunday to claim his first grand prix victory since the opening race of the season, regaining second in the Drivers’ Championship from Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and closing back to within 40 points of Antonelli.
Sunday’s race in Spielberg was only three weeks on from Antonelli going 68 points clear of Russell after a record-extending victory in Monaco, which saw the Italian teenager become the first driver to claim the first five wins of his career in succession.
Russell claimed just one podium finish during Antonelli’s streak, with the Brit’s disappointing run of form representing a remarkable fall from grace from his status as an overwhelming title favourite after winning in Melbourne.
After backing up a second place in Barcelona, in a race Antonelli retired from with a technical failure, with victory at the Red Bull Ring, Russell opened up on the challenges he faced during his disappointing run.
“It [Melbourne] feels like a long time ago, to be honest,” Russell said.
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Highlights from the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix
“It’s been a tough couple of months with some really tricky races, with races that felt like everything was going against me, then some races with some tough performances.
“Obviously, I’ve got a really incredible team-mate next to me, who week in, week out is delivering some pretty spectacular performances.
“Going into Barcelona from quite a low point, I needed a lot of resilience to be able to get back and deliver some strong performances. So, to get the last two poles, to get the win here this weekend, especially on a track which I don’t think is so suited to me, I’m really, really proud.”
Russell wary of Silverstone challenge
Despite having made ground on Antonelli, Russell admitted he is unsure whether he will be able to make further inroads at next weekend’s British Grand Prix.
There were times during the weekend in Austria when Russell appeared unable to match Antonelli, and his lack of understanding as to why that is means doubts remain.
“I have a lot of confidence in myself, knowing I can do it,” Russell said.
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Russell took his second win of the season at the Austrian GP, as Max Verstappen held off Antonelli for second
“I have less confidence in being able to get everything aligned with the car, the set-up and the tyres, because it’s just been so up and down for me.
“And even this weekend, at points I was six tenths behind Kimi, and then come Q3 I was two tenths ahead. And I don’t honestly have a major answer for that.
“But those times where I managed to deliver the pole laps, the car and the tyres have felt more akin to last year, when I could deliver those performances every lap throughout a weekend. So, I’ll be working hard with my team to try and emulate that.”
Next up in the 2026 Formula 1 season is the big one, a Sprint weekend at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix – live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky One with coverage from Thursday to Sunday’s race at 3pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
