F1 | Russell: "I understand Verstappen, but he's complaining about the rules because he's no longer winning."

In an unusually quiet month of April for the engines of the Formula 1, attention has shifted from the racetracks to the Federation's offices. The forced pause in the 2026 calendar has become the ideal opportunity to attempt to straighten out a technical regulation that, after just three world championship events, has already revealed worrying structural flaws. Among the key figures in this revision phase is George Russell.

While Mercedes is enjoying a brilliant start to the season, with "mosquito" Kimi Antonelli partially overshadowing his more experienced teammate, Russell has decided to address the collective complaints. The focus is not on performance, but on the manageability of a regulation that many drivers, starting with Max Verstappen, consider excessively cumbersome and, in some cases, dangerous.

An unprecedented relationship: drivers and FIA face to face

The first quarter of the 2026 season has highlighted paradoxical situations. On circuits like Melbourne and Suzuka, the cars have shown more than predictable limitations in managing electrical energy, forcing drivers to recharge precisely on the fastest sections. This scenario has prompted the GPDA to intensify discussions with the sport's governing body. Russell confirmed that the climate has changed radically, with the Federation showing an openness not seen in some time.

“Regardless of what happened in Japan, we already had a meeting scheduled between the drivers, the F1 owners and the Federation to file these rules – said the EnglishmanThere are certainly some points we'd like to change, such as the need to always approach qualifying at maximum power, eliminating the practice of 'lift and coast'. Discussions with the FIA ​​have been fruitful, and I see a shared intent on where we want to go. The drivers have put two priorities on the table: eliminating energy management in qualifying and lowering the relative speeds of approaching the track. Right now, the bond between us and the federal technicians is perhaps the strongest it's been in recent years, and that's an extremely encouraging sign."

The security issue: the Bearman-Colapinto case

The accident in Japan between Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto has served as a catalyst for discussions on safety. The speed differential generated by the 2026 hybrid system created dangerous situations in so-called "anomalous" sections, namely fast corners where a car wouldn't typically be expected to be charging. Russell explained how the configuration of current power units can turn a duel into a very high risk.

The speed difference seen in the accident between Bearman and Colapinto is the result of a double variable. Oliver had activated the extra 350 kilowatts of power, finding himself with enormous thrust on an atypical section. Franco, on the other hand, had used up his battery on the preceding straight, finding himself almost completely out of power at that very point. The FIA ​​has understood the seriousness of the problem, and we are working to mitigate these speed differences in the most critical points, especially where one shouldn't be driving in management mode.

We need to find a middle ground, because today's cars are calibrated solely for pure performance, which paradoxically forces you to lift your foot to recharge. There's a simple solution, like adjusting the 350-kilowatt limit of the superclip, a move that would be enough to avoid sudden decelerations. Small adjustments would make driving much more rewarding.

Paddock Politics: Verstappen and the Competitiveness Factor

While Russell works to improve the F1 product, there's no shortage of political jabs aimed at struggling rivals. Max Verstappen has been the most scathing critic of the new regulations, even threatening to quit unless radical changes are made. The Englishman interprets these complaints through the filter of on-track results. With Mercedes finally back at the top and Red Bull struggling in the back row, the outlook has changed dramatically.

The Englishman emphasized how the perception of a car as unpleasant to drive is often tied to a driver's standing in the standings, recalling Mercedes's struggles in recent seasons under the influence of porpoising: "Formula 1 remains a bigger entity than any single driver. I think we all love competing with Max, but in our world, sometimes you have to manage a car that doesn't respond the way you want. It happened to me personally four years ago, when porpoising caused me constant physical pain. That Mercedes was heavy and awkward in the fast corners, yet at the time Max didn't criticize it because he kept winning."

"Today, his complaints carry a different weight than those of us Mercedes, Ferrari, or McLaren drivers, simply because we're ahead and he's chasing. His impatience is understandable, but we're talking about a man who's already won four world titles and achieved goals others can only dream of. Perhaps he's lost some of his motivation and will focus on what makes him happy, perhaps racing on the Nordschleife. It's an idea that fascinates me too, but my only thought today is about winning the title."

The internal challenge: managing Antonelli's rise

While Russell's external engagement with the FIA ​​sees him competing against the phenomenon Kimi Antonelli, his internal engagement sees him compete. The young Italian driver has already scored two wins in three races, putting pressure on Russell, who seemed to be aiming for a rather "easy" title after his first strong performance of the season in Melbourne. Despite his teammate's strong start, George is maintaining composure, focusing entirely on the long-term vision and consistency needed to win a world championship.

"The world title is a goal built over the course of an entire season, where the secret is knowing how to maximize every single opportunity. The results of individual Sundays are forgotten; what matters is operational consistency: bringing home important points on bad days and winning when everything goes right. I'm not wasting time thinking about Kimi or the standings right now; I'd rather focus exclusively on my own personal performance."