Here's the thing about momentum in Formula 1: when it shifts, it moves fast. George Russell is heading into the Bahrain Grand Prix with a fresh spring in his step, banking on a long-awaited upgrade package from Mercedes to help him cut down the gap at the front of the drivers' standings.
That deficit currently sits at 66 points, shrinking after Russell converted a superb pole position into victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. He managed to beat Max Verstappen by less than two tenths over the line, clawing back ground while Kimi Antonelli's lead had previously crept up to 81 points. With eight rounds still to go, Russell senses an opportunity to keep pressing for his maiden championship.
I think the only thing that has changed is I now feel in a position that my performances are strong enough to fight for victory week in and week out,
Reflecting on his recent upturn, Russell pointed to the summer break as a turning point. “Baku was an excellent weekend. I really felt in the groove and since the summer break I've felt more on top of things,” he said. While Mercedes have been mighty on high-efficiency downforce circuits like Baku and Monza, they are now heading to a more traditional circuit where rivals like McLaren have recently flexed their muscles. Russell is betting that the upcoming updates will level the playing field on tracks where they have missed out lately, mentioning venues like Budapest, Zandvoort, and Madrid.
It is a remarkable mental shift for a driver who previously ruled himself out of the title fight after Antonelli secured his eighth Grand Prix win of the season in Madrid. Now, increased comfort in the machine and the realization that the heavy pressure rests on his team mate's shoulders have completely changed his outlook.
“I think the only thing that has changed is I now feel in a position that my performances are strong enough to fight for victory week in and week out,” Russell explained. Pre-summer break, he admitted to missing both championship points and raw weekend performance, feeling genuinely lost at times. That doubt is gone, replaced by a natural confidence that defines the best spells of his career.
“I'm just going to go race-by-race. I'm enjoying it more than I have done recently because I just feel more at one with the car and hopefully this new upgrade with a few characteristic changes will also play in my favour a bit more. Bring it on,” Russell concluded.
