George Russell told BBC Sport the 2026 Drivers’ Championship now belongs to 19‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli after the Briton retired in Canada. Antonelli has seized the momentum, pocketing four straight wins since his debut, while Russell’s sole victory came at the Australian Grand Prix. The contrast underscores a shifting balance as the season heads into its second half.

Russell lamented a string of misfortunes – qualifying glitches in China, a safety‑car shuffle in Japan that handed Antonelli the lead, and the mechanical failure that forced his Canada retirement. Yet he stressed resilience, recalling a rocky Formula 2 campaign in 2018 and a disastrous first practice lap at Monaco, both of which he later turned around.

Looking ahead, Russell says the championship will continue to swing, and his focus remains on extracting maximum points whenever the car allows. With over a dozen races left, Antonelli’s hot streak puts pressure on the seasoned Briton to rediscover form. Russell must convert sprint successes into full‑race results if he hopes to stay in title contention.

The duel also reshapes the Constructors’ battle, as Mercedes relies heavily on Russell’s recovery while Ferrari eyes Antonelli’s Red Bull partnership to close the gap. Fans and pundits will watch the upcoming British Grand Prix closely, knowing a strong performance could either cement Antonelli’s lead or spark a Russell resurgence.