The Monza result that swung it further
George Russell now trails Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli by 66 points with around nine rounds remaining, after finishing second at the Italian Grand Prix while Antonelli completed one of the most dramatic recovery drives of the season from 19th on the grid. Russell had led for much of the race, but lost the position for good during a Virtual Safety Car period when Mercedes ran a split strategy between its two cars — Antonelli pitted for fresh tyres while Russell stayed out, and the Italian made the pass stick in the closing laps. See our full Monza recap for how that race actually played out.
The Belgian GP that started the slide
Monza compounded a problem that started earlier in the year. Russell was eliminated on the opening lap of the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps after contact with Lewis Hamilton at Les Combes — a collision that came after Russell's Mercedes suffered a power unit battery charging failure under braking for Turn 1, leaving him down on power onto the Kemmel Straight and vulnerable to being passed. Hamilton was handed a five-second penalty for the clash, though Russell himself described it afterward as a "racing incident."
A penalty still to come
Mercedes has confirmed Russell has now exhausted his allocation of penalty-free power unit components for the season, meaning a grid penalty is still to land at some point before the year is out — a further handicap layered on top of an already steep points deficit.
Is it really over?
Mathematically, more than 200 points remain on the table, so a Russell title isn't impossible. But it would require both near-flawless execution from him and a genuine collapse from Antonelli, and the mood around the paddock has shifted accordingly — a RacingNews365 reader poll found nearly three-quarters of respondents believe the fight is already decided. Russell himself hasn't pushed back hard on that read, saying plainly of his team mate: "Kimi's in control of it and he's deserving to be in control of it."
Frequently asked questions
How far behind is George Russell in the 2026 F1 championship?
66 points behind Mercedes team mate Kimi Antonelli, with around nine rounds remaining, after Antonelli's recovery win from 19th at the Italian Grand Prix.
What happened to George Russell at the Belgian Grand Prix?
He retired on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton at Les Combes, following a power unit battery charging failure that left him down on power onto the Kemmel Straight. Hamilton received a five-second penalty.
Does George Russell face a grid penalty later in the 2026 season?
Yes — Mercedes has confirmed he has exhausted his allocation of penalty-free power unit components, meaning a grid penalty is still to come.
Is George Russell out of the 2026 championship fight?
Not mathematically, but a majority of fans surveyed by RacingNews365 believe it's effectively over, and Russell himself has acknowledged Antonelli is firmly in control of the title race.
Sources
Pippa has followed open-wheel racing for 12 years, from Formula 1's turbo-hybrid era to IndyCar's short ovals, and has watched competitive sim racing grow from a niche hobby into a genuine motorsport discipline in its own right. She covers circuit and open-wheel racing, touring cars and esports for CNMOTOS.
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