Although the Miami GP is not scheduled for another two weeks, George Russell is already looking forward to the first American Grand Prix of the season with confidence. The Mercedes driver had a turbulent start to the season, with a win in Australia followed by setbacks in China and Japan. For Russell, the spring break was a good reset ahead of the season’s resumption: ‘I am confident’.
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George Russell has started the 2026 season well. The Brit took victory during the Australian GP and led the drivers’ championship for the first time in his career. However, the Mercedes driver lost this lead to his younger teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Japanese GP, partly due to setbacks during the race weekends in China and Japan. For example, Russell suffered a broken front wing during qualifying in Shanghai, while in Suzuka he was unlucky with the timing of the safety car.
In an interview with IWC Schaffhausen in Geneva, Russell looks back on his season start. “For us as a team, it has been a great start to the year,” the driver says. “For me personally, it really started very well. The race in Japan was a challenge, but the season is still very long. The most important thing is that we have a very good race package at our disposal.”
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Russell ready for season resumption
Like the rest of the F1 grid, Russell also had a spring break due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix before traveling to Miami. The Brit is already looking forward to the next race round in the United States. “I feel good, I am confident. This short break was a good reset and I am fully ready to go all out again.”
It is now the fifth edition of the race in the American state of Florida, where Russell still made the podium last season. “I really enjoy the circuit in Miami,” continues the 28-year-old driver. “It is fast and flowing. And then you have that very tight section towards the end of the circuit. Usually, there are many good overtaking opportunities. Plus, it is warm there. In recent years, there has often been a chance of bad weather, but it always seems to just miss us. So that is also something that can play a role in Miami.”
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