George Russell regains confidence as Mercedes chases championship lead
Mercedes driver George Russell has declared that his confidence is fully restored as he aims to close the 66-point gap to his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, in the Formula 1 world championship. Following a victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last weekend—his first in three months—the British driver believes he has finally unlocked the necessary understanding to extract maximum performance from his car.
A breakthrough in driving style
After a challenging season marked by difficulties in adapting to the new technical regulations, Russell feels he is no longer struggling to find his rhythm. He noted that his approach to the car has become more intuitive, allowing him to focus on speed rather than constantly adjusting his driving style to compensate for handling issues.
"The thing that's changed is I feel my performances are strong enough to fight for victory week in week out," Russell stated. "I know what I need from the car and myself, and I don't really feel lost anymore. Confidence is back and it's growing again, and it's all coming a bit more naturally."
Championship ambitions and technical upgrades
With roughly a third of the season remaining, Russell remains focused on a race-by-race strategy. While the deficit to championship leader Antonelli is significant, the Mercedes team is optimistic that their latest package of upgrades will bolster their competitiveness at the upcoming race in Sepang. Mercedes expects a stern challenge from McLaren, whose car characteristics are well-suited to the flowing nature of the Malaysian circuit.
Antonelli, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back after a difficult outing in Baku. Despite a qualifying crash that forced him to start 16th, the Italian driver managed a fifth-place finish. He acknowledged that the weekend served as a vital learning experience, emphasizing the need for 100% commitment to maintain his title advantage.
Hamilton defends Ferrari leadership
In other paddock news, Lewis Hamilton has publicly backed Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur amid recent speculation regarding his future. Hamilton, who is currently third in the drivers' standings, dismissed suggestions that changing leadership would benefit the team, citing the progress made since their winless 2025 campaign.
"He's doing a fantastic job," Hamilton said. "If you want to point fingers, point it somewhere else. There's people above who are also part of it. Swapping him out won't change how the team is moving forward. If anything, it will be detrimental."
Hamilton highlighted that Ferrari remains second in the constructors' championship despite a notable power deficit compared to Mercedes and Red Bull. He remains committed to the team's long-term development, noting that while the current car is not perfect, it provides a solid foundation for future success. Further details on the current state of the sport can be found at BBC Sport.
