George Russell Eyes Victory and Mercedes Improvements Ahead of Miami GP

George Russell is feeling confident and focused as he prepares for the Miami Grand Prix, emphasizing his commitment to self-improvement and team progress despite a strong title challenge from his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Speaking ahead of the Miami GP, Russell acknowledged Antonelli’s impressive start to the 2026 Formula 1 season, which has seen the 19-year-old rookie surge to the top of the drivers’ standings with back-to-back wins in China and Japan. However, Russell made it clear that his priority remains internal development rather than external rivalry.

“I’m focused on myself,” Russell stated, highlighting his approach to the ongoing title fight. “I think the previous set of rules for us in Formula 1 we just struggled to get on top of and this new set of regulations, this new car, this new engine is more aligned to what we know as a team and probably suiting our strengths.”

Russell credited the 2026 regulation overhaul for revitalizing Mercedes’ performance, describing the team’s current package as a “rocket ship” that has returned them to the sharp end of the grid after years of struggling under the previous ground-effect aerodynamics.

Despite a challenging weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished fourth, Russell said the April break between races served as a valuable reset. “Yeah, feeling great ahead of Miami,” he said. “It’s been, for us as a team, an amazing start to the year. For me personally, it started off really, really well. Had a challenging race in Japan, but it’s a hell of a long season, and the most important thing is we got a really good package beneath us.”

The British driver also addressed Mercedes’ ongoing efforts to improve one of the team’s persistent weaknesses: race starts. Russell confirmed that the team has been working “behind the scenes” to analyze data and refine their launch procedures, particularly during the enforced break in the calendar.

“Mercedes have been analysing the data to ensure that they improve their race starts,” Russell explained. “George Russell says that Mercedes are working hard ‘behind the scenes’ to improve their race starts ahead of the return of the Formula 1 season in Miami in May.”

Although Mercedes have secured four front-row lockouts in the first three Grands Prix and sprint events, neither Russell nor Antonelli have led after the opening lap. Russell identified the start as the team’s biggest weakness but noted that their strong race pace has allowed them to recover and win races despite poor getaways.

Ferrari have been the best starters so far in 2026, benefiting from a small turbocharger that spins up more quickly, giving them an edge in off-the-line acceleration. Russell acknowledged this advantage but reiterated confidence in Mercedes’ ability to close the gap through targeted development.

Russell also spoke positively about the Miami circuit, expressing enjoyment of its layout. “I really enjoy the circuit in Miami. It’s fast, it’s flowing. You then have that really tight section towards the end of the track. Usually lots of good overtaking opportunities. It’s hot.”

While acknowledging that bad weather has occasionally affected the event in past years, Russell noted that conditions have recently favored the teams, adding to his optimism for the upcoming weekend.

As the Miami Grand Prix approaches, Russell enters the race trailing his teammate Antonelli by nine points in the championship standings. Despite the pressure of the intra-team battle, he remains composed, focused on extracting the maximum performance from himself and the car.

With Mercedes showing strong form early in the 2026 season and continued work underway to address their start-line shortcomings, Russell’s blend of confidence and self-focused determination positions him as a serious contender in what promises to be a fiercely competitive Miami GP.