George Russell 'can't wait' for clean slate under 2026 F1 regulations

George Russell has openly expressed his relief and excitement that Formula 1's challenging ground effect era is over, eagerly anticipating the clean slate offered by the 2026 regulation changes. The Mercedes driver, who joined the team at the start of this technical cycle in 2022, is looking forward to a more level playing field after a period he described as "so tough" and difficult to understand for many teams.

Why it matters:

Russell's candid comments reflect a widespread sentiment in the paddock that the extreme aerodynamic complexity of the ground effect cars created a performance understanding gap that was hard to bridge. His enthusiasm for the reset signals a hopeful mood at Mercedes, a team that struggled to consistently challenge for wins during this era despite Russell's five victories and a fourth-place finish in the 2025 standings.

The details:

• Russell joined Mercedes from Williams precisely as the ground effect regulations were introduced in 2022, meaning his entire tenure with the team has been defined by this challenging car concept.
• He stated, "I'm glad this season is done and this era is over. It's been so tough for a lot of teams, very difficult to understand, but we've all got a clean slate next year and that's good."
• While excited, Russell remains grounded about the future, adding, "I'm not getting carried away, but the truth is, no one knows. We're going with an open mind, but I'm feeling good."
• The British driver also took a moment to congratulate new world champion Lando Norris, praising his rival's performance, especially in the second half of the season, and stating the title ended up "in the right hands."

What's next:

All focus at Mercedes and across the grid now shifts to the 2026 season, which will introduce new chassis and power unit regulations. The reset offers teams like Mercedes, which failed to win a constructors' title during the ground effect era, a crucial opportunity to return to the front. Russell's anticipation underscores the high stakes and renewed hope that comes with a major regulatory overhaul.