GEORGE RUSSELL: 'I CAN STILL BECOME F1 WORLD CHAMPION IN 2026'

George Russell remains confident he can still win the 2026 Formula 1 world championship, despite a 68-point deficit to Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Antonelli has been dominant, winning five of the season's first six races, while Russell's sole victory came in Melbourne. Russell argues the gap is not insurmountable, referencing last year's championship where Max Verstappen and Lando Norris overcame significant point deficits to contend for the title.

However, Russell admits his recent struggles stem from a string of bad luck rather than pure performance issues. He's faced mechanical problems like a Q3 failure in Shanghai and an engine retirement from the lead in Canada. A pitlane penalty in Monaco further hampered his recovery, adding to a tough run that also included discomfort with low-grip conditions in Miami. Russell acknowledges Antonelli's "amazing job" but believes his own results would be "very, very close" if not for the misfortune. He remains optimistic about fighting for race wins later this year and into next season, aiming to reverse his current third-place standing.