2016 Method 1 champion Nico Rosberg believes George Russell is lastly again to his finest type.
Russell has endured a tough begin to the 2026 season. The Briton arrived on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as a title favorite, however after successful in Melbourne and the Chinese language dash race, he confronted a number of points, together with ill-timed security vehicles that hampered his technique and automotive issues.
In the meantime, his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli took the lead of the standings on the Japanese Grand Prix and went on to win a complete of six grands prix within the opening half of the season.
However the 28-year-old has returned after the summer time break refreshed. He received the Dutch dash race from pole place and certified second for the Dutch Grand Prix.
Chatting with Sky Sports activities F1, Rosberg stated the paddock had been caught off guard by Russell’s lack of uncooked pace in a number of the earlier levels of the season.
“It was a giant shock to all of us his efficiency within the first half of the season,” Rosberg defined. “You talked about unhealthy luck however it wasn’t simply unhealthy luck, he is additionally not been fast sufficient. Antonelli was simply the faster driver.
George Russell, Mercedes
Picture by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures by way of Getty Pictures
“So it is nice to see him again at his finest right here this weekend, he appears actually on it. Possibly his engagement has flipped a swap in his thoughts. He is lastly relaxed now as a result of that is carried out, and it is just like the George Russell of previous.
“That is the extent we all know he is able to.”
Russell defined to Sky Sports activities F1 that he was feeling extra intuitive with the automotive. “I hope it [my form] continues. It feels extra like a standard weekend. The automotive’s feeling extra intuitive, I’ve received extra confidence within the automotive, after which it simply comes extra naturally.
“Let’s see what at the moment brings. It’s going to be an fascinating race. I feel the Ferraris are going to be fast, Lando will likely be quick, so it’s going to be a superb battle.”
Photographs from Dutch GP – Sunday
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