George Russell is currently in an unusual position. For the first time in years, his Mercedes team has a car capable of winning every weekend. But unfortunately for him, his teenage teammate, Kimi Antonelli, has recently found momentum and is sat at the top of the drivers’ standings.
Talking from Geneva’s Watches and Wonders 2026 exhibition, the Briton is feeling calm about the intra-team rivalry that has stolen headlines since the Japanese Grand Prix. Following the launch of a new IWC timepiece designed for space travel, Russell is looking forward to returning to the 2026 season after the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix races were cancelled.
“We’re all living to a degree in our own little bubble!” he said. “We’re all so focused on our everyday life and whatever project we may be working towards, and that is the thing that consumes us the most.
“And then suddenly, when you zoom out and you get that perspective from space, you realize, we’re just a little dot in the ocean.”
At just 19-years old, the young Italian has had a “perfect start”, as described by Russell. This has failed to bash the momentum of the Mercedes driver, however, as Russell is keen on returning to the season with a renewed sense of motivation.
“It’s great having Kimi as my teammate. Of course, an incredibly quick driver and he’s shown that ever since we’ve been teammates throughout last year,” Russell said. “I’m looking forward to trying to fight again with him in the upcoming races.
“But I think all of us at that age, you got so much excitement, motivation for, for everything that’s ahead. And, yeah, I remember when I was, you know, 19 years old and pursuing a dream which I’m still pursuing today, which is to become a Formula 1 World Champion.”
After struggling through its issues of the ground effect era, Mercedes now has a car capable of consistent race wins.
“The previous set of of rules for us in Formula 1 we just struggled to get on top of. And this new set of regulations, this new car, this new engine is more aligned to what we know as a team and probably suiting our strengths,” he continued.
2026 could well be Russell’s first real attempt at a world champion title bid.
For me personally, it started off really, really well” he said on his season. “Had a challenging race in Japan, but it’s a hell of a long season, and the most important thing is we got a really good package beneath us. I’m feeling good, feeling confident.”
After over a month of no racing, he’s looking forward to returning to Miami.
“I really enjoy the circuit in Miami. It’s fast, it’s flowing. You then have that really tight section towards the end of the track. Usually lots of good overtaking opportunities,” Russell said. before warning: “There’s been a lot of potential bad weather around in the years gone by, but it’s always seemingly just missed us. So that’s also something that can play a part.”
This interview coincided with the release of the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive. In partnership with Vast, the company behind Haven-! which is readying itself to be the first commercial space station, the watch is designed for astronauts who struggle to maintain their body clocks. Russell will be hoping to mirror this and get back to his winning rhythm in Florida.