Nico Rosberg says George Russell is “again at his greatest” after tough F1 begin

2016 Components 1 champion Nico Rosberg believes George Russell is lastly again to his greatest kind.

Russell has endured a tough begin to the 2026 season. The Briton arrived on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as a title favorite, however after profitable in Melbourne and the Chinese language dash race, he confronted a number of points, together with ill-timed security automobiles that hampered his technique and automotive issues. 

In the meantime, his teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli took the lead of the standings on the Japanese Grand Prix and went on to win a complete of six grands prix within the opening half of the season. 

However the 28-year-old has returned after the summer season break refreshed. He gained the Dutch dash race from pole place and certified second for the Dutch Grand Prix.

Chatting with Sky Sports activities F1, Rosberg mentioned the paddock had been caught off guard by Russell’s lack of uncooked pace in among the earlier levels of the season.

“It was a giant shock to all of us his efficiency within the first half of the season,” Rosberg defined. “You talked about dangerous luck however it wasn’t simply dangerous luck, he is additionally not been fast sufficient. Antonelli was simply the faster driver.

George Russell, Mercedes

Picture by: Simon Galloway / LAT Pictures through Getty Pictures

“So it is nice to see him again at his greatest right here this weekend, he appears actually on it. Perhaps his engagement has flipped a change in his thoughts. He is lastly relaxed now as a result of that is completed, and it is just like the George Russell of previous.

“That is the extent we all know he is able to.”

Russell defined to Sky Sports activities F1 that he was feeling extra intuitive with the automotive. “I hope it [my form] continues. It feels extra like a traditional weekend. The automotive’s feeling extra intuitive, I’ve bought extra confidence within the automotive, after which it simply comes extra naturally.

“Let’s see what as we speak brings. It’s going to be an fascinating race. I believe the Ferraris are going to be fast, Lando will probably be quick, so it’s going to be a great struggle.”

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– The Motorsport.com Staff