George Russell says Formula 1’s 2026 regulations have forced him to completely rethink his driving style, describing the adjustment as the toughest challenge of his career.

George Russell has admitted that adapting to Formula 1’s 2026 regulations has become one of the biggest challenges of his racing career. The Mercedes driver says the combination of new cars, power units and tires has forced him to abandon driving habits developed over the past two decades.

After entering the season as one of the championship favorites, Russell now finds himself chasing teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who leads the standings after the opening nine rounds.

A New Generation of Cars Requires a New Driving Style

Speaking ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Russell explained that the latest Formula 1 machinery demands a completely different approach behind the wheel.

The British driver compared the process to trying to recreate a masterpiece without experience, saying that changing instincts built over 20 years is far more difficult than simply knowing what needs to be done.

George Russell says the 2026 Formula 1 cars require a completely different driving style.

From Instinct to Constant Thinking

Russell revealed that one of his greatest frustrations is having to consciously think about every aspect of his driving instead of relying on instinct.

For most of his career, speed came naturally through subconscious reactions. Under the 2026 regulations, however, he must constantly evaluate whether his traditional driving style will work or if he needs to adjust his technique for each circuit and condition.

That mental process, he says, has become one of the biggest obstacles to consistently extracting maximum performance from the Mercedes.

The Mercedes driver is working to adapt to Formula 1’s new technical regulations.

Turning New Habits Into Second Nature

Russell believes the ultimate objective is to make these new techniques feel as natural as the driving style that carried him through the junior categories and into Formula 1.

He acknowledged that he understands exactly what changes are required, but transforming those adjustments into automatic reactions will take time. Until then, adapting to the new generation of Formula 1 cars remains his biggest challenge in the fight for the 2026 championship.

Russell hopes the new driving techniques will eventually become second nature.

The Mercedes driver remains confident that continued experience with the 2026 cars will allow him to unlock their full potential, but admits the learning process is unlike anything he has faced during his career.

Isack Hadjar has confirmed he will start from the back of the grid at the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix due to a power unit penalty, shifting his focus to race pace at Spa-Francorchamps.

Isack Hadjar has confirmed he will start from the back of the grid for the 2026 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix after taking a new Red Bull-Ford power unit. The Racing Bulls driver revealed the penalty ahead of the Spa-Francorchamps weekend, knowing that his attention will now shift from qualifying to maximizing race pace.

Despite the setback, Hadjar remains optimistic about making progress on one of Formula 1’s most overtaking-friendly circuits.

Isack Hadjar will serve a grid penalty at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Power Unit Penalty Changes Hadjar’s Weekend Strategy

Hadjar explained that the expected engine changes automatically trigger a grid penalty, leaving him with little incentive to focus on qualifying results. Instead, Racing Bulls will prioritize race setup in hopes of climbing through the field on Sunday.

The French driver arrives in Belgium after an impressive run of consistency, recording five consecutive top-six finishes. However, he admitted matching that streak at Spa will be significantly more difficult given his starting position.

He also acknowledged that Racing Bulls still trails Ferrari and Mercedes in outright pace, although he believes the team continues to make steady progress throughout the season.

Racing Bulls will prioritize race pace after Hadjar’s engine penalty.

Spa Offers Hope for a Recovery Drive

Although Hadjar expects to line up at the very back of the grid, he believes Spa-Francorchamps provides plenty of opportunities to overtake and recover positions during the race.

The Belgian Grand Prix is also expected to feature multiple grid penalties, with Lando Norris confirming he will drop ten places after McLaren opted to introduce Mercedes’ latest reliability-upgraded power unit.

Spa-Francorchamps could allow Hadjar to recover positions during Sunday’s race.

Hadjar remains confident that Racing Bulls has the pace to fight through the field. While another top-six finish will be far more challenging, the French driver believes an aggressive recovery drive is still possible if the race unfolds in his favor.

Carlos Sainz believes Charles Leclerc’s comeback victory at Silverstone was no surprise, highlighting one quality that has always made the Ferrari driver one of Formula 1’s toughest competitors.

Leclerc’s victory ended a difficult stretch that included costly mistakes, disappointing results, and increasing pressure after teammate Lewis Hamilton had gained the upper hand in recent races. However, according to Sainz, responding to adversity has always been part of Leclerc’s character, making his return to winning form far less surprising than many expected.

Charles Leclerc celebrating his Silverstone victory

Carlos Sainz Says Leclerc Always Finds a Way Back

Reflecting on their years together at Ferrari, Sainz explained that momentum frequently shifted between them throughout the 2021–2024 seasons. Even after several races in which Sainz appeared to have the advantage, Leclerc consistently found a way to respond and return to the front.

The Williams driver described that resilience as one of Leclerc’s defining qualities, noting that his former teammate has repeatedly demonstrated an impressive ability to identify problems, make adjustments, and quickly regain his competitiveness after difficult weekends.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc during their Ferrari partnership

Silverstone Victory Ends a Difficult Stretch

Leclerc’s win at Silverstone arrived at a crucial moment in his season. Following several disappointing weekends and increased scrutiny over his performances, Ferrari needed a strong result, and Leclerc delivered with a composed drive that put both himself and the team back at the front.

Sainz praised both Leclerc and Ferrari for the turnaround, explaining that seeing his former teammate respond so strongly only reinforced what he had witnessed during their years together. For Sainz, Silverstone wasn’t an unexpected comeback—it was another example of Leclerc’s proven ability to overcome adversity and return stronger when the pressure is at its highest.

Charles Leclerc driving the Ferrari SF-26 at Silverstone

Leclerc’s performance could also provide an important confidence boost for the remainder of the season. With Ferrari continuing to develop its package and several key races still ahead, the British Grand Prix may prove to be the turning point both Leclerc and the team needed. If history is any indication, as Sainz suggested, counting Leclerc out has rarely been a wise decision.