Sebastian Vettel backs George Russell for 2026 F1 drivers' title
Sebastian Vettel predicts George Russell will win the 2026 F1 drivers' championship, praising the Mercedes driver's intelligence and dedication. The endorsement comes as F1 prepares for a major regulatory reset in 2026, which could redefine team competitiveness.
Four-time champion Sebastian Vettel has tipped Mercedes' George Russell to win the 2026 Formula 1 drivers' championship, citing the Briton's intelligence and work ethic as key factors. This endorsement comes as teams navigate the final pre-season test in Bahrain under new regulations that promise to reshuffle the competitive order.
Why it matters:
Vettel's prediction carries weight as an experienced champion assessing the field, and it highlights the high expectations placed on Russell as a future title contender. With the 2026 technical reset offering a potential clean slate, driver talent and team execution will be crucial for any championship challenge, making Vettel's insight into Russell's capabilities particularly noteworthy.
The details:
- Vettel made his comments during an appearance on ServusTV's Sport und Talk aus dem Hangar-7, stating that Mercedes is "not a bad choice" for 2026.
- He also noted that McLaren, as a Mercedes customer team, has performed well recently and should not be overlooked in the conversation.
- Vettel's reasoning: The German champion specifically praised Russell for being "very intelligent," knowing "how hard he works on himself," and being "smart enough to understand what he personally can contribute as a driver to make the difference."
- Russell's focus: Meanwhile, Russell, speaking after his pre-season test running, emphasized that Mercedes' program is focused on understanding the W17 car and its updates rather than chasing pure lap time. He stressed the importance of completing mileage to leave Bahrain "in the strongest possible position" for the season opener in Melbourne.
What's next:
The true test of Vettel's prediction begins with the 2026 season opener. Russell and Mercedes must first navigate the current season's challenges, with the new car showing promise in testing. All eyes will be on whether Russell can convert his acknowledged potential and work ethic into consistent race-winning performance, especially as the team develops towards the pivotal 2026 regulation change.