George Russell has returned from the 2026 Method 1 summer time break feeling “extra relaxed” as he makes an attempt to claw again into the title combat towards Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
The championship chief holds a 56-point benefit over third-placed Russell, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton sitting second and 53 behind Antonelli after 11 rounds with 12 remaining.
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This weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix marks a possibility for Russell to stage a late bid and he has executed properly to this point, successful the dash race from pole whereas Antonelli solely took fourth.
Russell’s benefit continued into Saturday’s qualifying as he took second behind McLaren polesitter Lando Norris, whereas a annoyed Antonelli is beginning third after a mistake at Flip 1.
“I am simply going to take it race by race,” stated Russell at Zandvoort. “I am not going to return away from this weekend and say all points are resolved.
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“I do suppose I made some huge modifications going into the Barcelona weekend, and as I stated earlier this morning, I had some good races, Barcelona and Austria. Then Silverstone and Spa, we had the PU subject, and Budapest was simply not a aggressive weekend on my aspect.
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“So, I feel it simply hasn’t been a clear run this season. It has not been a clear season in any way with all the points that we have had. However I simply really feel, I feel after the break, I simply really feel far more relaxed. I do not really feel like I’ve received something to lose.
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“The stress’s off. I am simply going to exit, get pleasure from it, and I do not even actually really feel in a combat. It is not mine to lose, it is mine to achieve. So that is the mentality I’ve received, and I really feel it is going to assist me. I am simply having fun with driving.”
This season has clearly not gone as hoped for Russell, who began the 2026 regulation swap because the heavy title favorite due to his Mercedes staff anticipating to dominate.
However his sophomore team-mate has loved the higher hand due to his blistering one-lap tempo with six poles, whereas misfortune has hit each drivers at instances throughout a grand prix.
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Russell additionally beforehand claimed that these new 2026 vehicles swimsuit Antonelli’s aggressive driving model, so the 28-year-old has spent a lot of the 12 months adapting his extra easy strategy.
That’s the reason the August summer time break got here at time for the Briton, who used it to repeatedly hold creating – particularly when he thinks the title combat is “removed from over”.
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
Lando Norris, McLaren, George Russell, Mercedes
“Clearly Kimi’s been doing an incredible job this season, and clearly the 2 of us have fairly completely different driving kinds,” added Russell.
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“That was obvious final 12 months, and it’s actually working properly for him with this automobile and these tyres and simply making an attempt to implement one thing comparable into my driving model.
“I describe it as should you change your golf swing, you will in all probability take half a step again earlier than making these enhancements.
“The break simply allowed me to place these learnings into the again of my thoughts, come right here this weekend, not fixating on what I wish to try to obtain with the automobile and the tyres, however figuring out behind my head what I want to attain and simply drive extra freely.
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“I am actually, actually pleased with that as a result of it is simply kind of constructing that toolbox of expertise for me that is going to permit me to be even higher within the years to return.
“Who is aware of, possibly subsequent 12 months the approach is completely completely different once more. That is the sweetness and problem of Method 1. Yearly it is completely different.”
Learn Additionally:
Kimi Antonelli annoyed after Flip 1 “mistake” value him Dutch GP pole
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