Russell can still win: “I’ve never doubted my abilities”

For Mercedes driver George Russell, the spell has finally been broken: more than three months after his first win in Melbourne at the season opener, he has ended his run of six GPs without a victory. At the Red Bull Ring, Russell drove from pole position to victory. At last! His team-mate Kimi Antonelli, who had swept the board from China to Monaco, finished third. Antonelli remains ahead of Russell in the World Championship standings, with a 40-point lead.

Speaking about Antonelli after his victory at Spielberg, Russell said: “Every lap he drives, he’s in the top two in the standings. That’s how it was for me at the start of the year, but recently that hasn’t been the case.” After his victory in Melbourne, Antonelli – aged just 19 – took the lead. Russell couldn’t keep up with his team-mate – though he has also often been simply unlucky with retirements and safety car periods that went against him.

Hard-fought victory at Spielberg

The Briton said: “Barcelona was a walk in the park for me because everything just clicked on every single lap. But here at Spielberg, it was a real battle. But with this pole position and the win, I know I’m capable of it, and that’s something I’ve always believed in over the past few years. This year, I’ve never doubted my abilities; I’ve perhaps only doubted the process, and I had to get that under control.”

Russell also reflected on his former team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is now at Ferrari and had major problems last year: “And I’ve seen it very clearly when I look at how Lewis has bounced back this year, or Leclerc, who is one of the best qualifiers on the grid, and just how much he’s had to struggle this year.”

We haven’t forgotten how to drive

Russell makes it clear – perhaps speaking for everyone else as well: “We haven’t simply forgotten how to drive, or had to learn it all over again. It’s just a matter of understanding the whole package and getting to grips with it. And I definitely feel, with every lap, in every race I drive, that I’m making really good progress in that regard. So yes, I feel good.”

Topic of the week

From major doubts to a major spectacle: why GP fans have reason to be delighted

Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Read more

TV program

Today

Budapest: Das Rennen Re-Live

FIA Formula One World Championship

26.07.2026 - 17:15