Former IndyCar driver and F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe says George Russell should view the rest of the 2026 season as preparation for 2027, noting that his title challenge is effectively over after the Spanish Grand Prix.
The season‑opening event at the new Madrid circuit further dented Russell’s championship aspirations. Meanwhile, his Mercedes teammate and series leader Kimi Antonelli seized a timely virtual safety car to secure his eighth career win, while Russell struggled to finish fifth.
The outcome widened the gap between Antonelli and Russell to 81 points in the drivers’ championship. Although the 28‑year‑old still has a theoretical chance, he conceded that he is realistically out of contention.
Realistically, I am not in the championship fight, and I will concentrate on each race individually, aiming for strong results,” Russell told F1 TV.
In a post‑race analysis on F1 TV, Hinchcliffe advised Russell to shift his attention to 2027 and investigate the factors limiting his performance relative to his teammate.
To be frank, most observers consider the championship out of reach at this stage,” Hinchcliffe said. “Therefore, Russell should adopt a race‑by‑race mindset, concentrating on identifying what is preventing him from closing the performance gap with Kimi.
He has a series of upcoming races before the season ends to fine‑tune his setup and be ready for a strong 2027 campaign. This year is effectively a write‑off for the title, so he must treat the remaining events as valuable learning opportunities — essentially, 2027 could begin in Baku.
The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is scheduled for the Baku City Circuit from 24 to 26 September.
George Russell, Mercedes
