Russell says Mercedes issues remain after Austria

George Russell says he is still not fully comfortable with Mercedes’ 2026 car despite pole and victory in Austria and a podium at Silverstone.

George Russell said he is still not fully comfortable with Mercedes’ 2026 car despite strong recent results. Formula1.com reported that Toto Wolff said Russell was still not fully gelling with the car after his British Grand Prix podium, while RaceFans reported Russell saying he was still struggling to understand the package at Silverstone.

Autosport reported that Russell said he was still trying to gel with the Mercedes and used an “abnormal” driving style in his Austrian Grand Prix win. BBC Sport also reported that Russell took pole position and victory in Austria, and said that win was important for his confidence.

Russell is second in the 2026 drivers’ championship on 154 points, ahead of Lewis Hamilton on 147, while Max Verstappen is seventh on 76. The British driver, born on 15 February 1998, has made 161 Formula 1 starts and won seven races.