“From June 1, new directives regarding engine compression ratios will come into effect, and at the moment no one knows the real impact on performance levels.” This is what George Russell said after the 2026 China Grand Prix, discussing the current hierarchy on the grid and how it could change rapidly. Starting from June 1, new hot checks at 130°C will replace the current ambient temperature inspections. By exploiting a loophole in the regulations, Mercedes has so far been able to increase the compression ratio of its power unit compared to the legal limit, giving them a noticeable advantage over other manufacturers. With the new checks, the situation could change—or it could remain the same. For Mercedes, the goal is clear: “Because of this great engineering uncertainty, our imperative now is to maximize every single opportunity and collect as many points as possible while we still have this margin.”
Russell: “Complicated race, congratulations to Antonelli”
The British driver first made sure to congratulate his teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the young Italian’s first Formula 1 victory. “I want to give my sincerest applause to Antonelli for this masterpiece. He completed a flawless weekend, confirming the excellent work he’s been doing since the very first tests this season. Bringing home a new victory with both cars in the top two positions is the absolute maximum—an unparalleled result for our entire team. I remember perfectly the emotions of my first triumph in this sport, so I fully understand how unforgettable and magical this moment must be for him.”
Russell also noted that Antonelli benefited from a problem he experienced during qualifying, which affected his own Q3 session. However, despite this opportunity, Antonelli had to execute the weekend flawlessly—and he did—showing remarkable maturity for a driver just nineteen years old.
Russell’s race and challenges
Russell then reflected on his own race and the difficult moments he faced. “The start phase was complicated for both sides of our garage. I managed to get back on track and climb to second place, but the safety car’s deployment definitely penalized me, dropping me to fourth position.”
The British driver was then overtaken by Charles Leclerc after the safety car restart, as his W17 needed a few laps to bring the harder compound tires up to temperature. “At the restart, the Ferrari cars had an impressive pace. Considering how the situation had developed at that point, I evaluate this fourth-place finish very positively.”
Current performance and title battle
Finally, George Russell, currently leading the drivers’ championship, commented on team performance and his main rival for the title. “Looking at the values on track, it’s clear that we currently represent the benchmark for the entire grid. Consequently, it’s natural that my main opponent in the fight for the world championship is Antonelli.”
Mercedes currently leads with a significant advantage, and as George Russell highlighted, it’s crucial to optimize and maximize every opportunity, since things could change soon—starting with the next race in Japan, scheduled in two weeks.
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