George Russell has labeled his two practice starts during the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing phase as his worst ever. The Mercedes driver's struggles come as teams adapt to a significant rule change for the upcoming season: drivers must now rev their engines for at least 10 seconds before starting a race to spool up the turbo. This new procedure has become a major talking point during pre-season, with Ferrari appearing particularly strong in mastering the technique.

Russell's admission underscores the steep learning curve facing all drivers as they prepare for the 2026 campaign. The challenge of executing these starts cleanly could prove decisive in the early races of the new era.