Sky Sports activities Components 1 lead commentator David Croft claimed that Mercedes driver George Russell seems to be snug and at dwelling from the skin, however might be below immense self-imposed stress forward of the 2026 season.
2026 may very well be one of many largest alternatives Russell will get to attain a drivers’ championship title as Mercedes is known to have a potent energy unit for the brand new laws.
“Effectively, judging by the best way George Russell was strolling across the paddock in Bahrain, not a lot to be sincere,” Croft instructed Sky Sports activities F1 when requested how a lot stress is on Russell. “He had his quick shorts on and a giant smile.”
He added: “I feel inwardly, there may be a whole lot of stress that George will placed on himself as a result of he is aware of Mercedes are in a very good place as they have been in 2014, the final time we had main energy unit adjustments. Mercedes went out and created one of the vital spectacular engines we have ever seen within the sport.
“George is main that Mercedes cost. [He] seems to be snug, seems to be at dwelling, however is aware of as nicely that if he does not do his analysis correctly into how he must drive, there’s loads of different drivers round him, together with his team-mate, that would take benefit.”
For 2026, Russell might be partnered with Kimi Antonelli once more. After finishing his rookie season in seventh place within the drivers’ championship, the Italian driver may have the arrogance of a robust first yr behind him in 2026.
“Effectively, you are all the time studying, aren’t you, in life, and whenever you’ve bought your rookie season out of the best way, issues turn out to be much more acquainted,” Croft defined when requested if Antonelli may threaten Russell in an analogous technique to Oscar Piastri with Lando Norris at McLaren.
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / LAT Photographs by way of Getty Photographs
“Kimi goes again to tracks that he is raced at earlier than, aside from Madrid, the new race for this season. And he has that muscle reminiscence, that reference level from earlier years and understands life in Components 1 so much higher. And he definitely has bought tempo. I feel Kimi Antonelli is an absolute star of the longer term and of the current as nicely.
“And I feel the best way he confirmed how he can bounce again from a disappointing run final yr within the center a part of the season confirmed his nice maturity as nicely. I spoke to him in Bahrain. He is in a reasonably first rate spot, I feel, for this season, understanding what’s demanded of him to exit and get the perfect outcomes.”
The countdown is on for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, which can happen from 6-8 March.
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