George Russell on disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix: “The race was totally ruined"

Credit: Formula 1

George Russell entered the 2026 season as a favourite for the championship, and a compelling victory in the opening round in Australia seemed to have sealed that presumption. But as the rounds went on, Russell began falling behind his teammate Kimi Antonelli, with the Briton suffering from a fair share of bad luck. 

Another dose of adversity hit him in Belgium, after a first-lap collision with Lewis Hamilton brought his race to a premature end. Formula One headed to Budapest for its final race before the three-week summer break, a race in which Russell sealed a podium last season. 

While the qualifying session ran smoothly, it all went downhill in Q3; Russell had an issue, which he described as feeling like “a water pistol being sprayed on the tyres”. Subsequently, he stopped on track and had to settle for seventh place. He gained further position after his teammate was handed a grid penalty.

But another wave of bad luck hit Russell as his car went into anti-stall, causing him to drop down the pecking order to 21st. He made an excellent recovery drive, working his way through traffic and avoiding incidents, meaning he crossed in seventh, sealing crucial points in the fight against his teammate and Hamilton in the standings. However, after the race, Russell’s disappointment was immeasurable as he reflected on what his race could’ve been without technical issues.

”I'm sort of past the point of disappointment now, because if I'm continuing to be disappointed with everything that goes on, I'll just be disappointed every day of the week.

“So, it's sort of like, I've got to stay positive. Another sort of technical issue that completely ruined the race, but the pace and positives, the pace was very strong.

“The team said it was as strong as anybody out there, which I haven't been there for probably two or three races now, or three races. So, I'll take positives there, but yes, it's just unbelievable the list of things that's happened this season.” Russell said.

“The problems are happening, but the whole team feels it as well,

“So, they're as pissed off as I am with how it's unfolded. We need to look at ourselves and ensure there's nothing we're doing wrong that is contributing to these errors.

Credit: Formula 1

Russell has been hindered by bad luck, memorably in Canada where he had to retire from the lead of the race after a mechanical failure. Another incident occurred in Monaco where he was hit with a subsequent penalty for failing to serve his first one correctly, dropping him down to 12th.

Reflecting on his season, Russell hopes for a swing in luck in the second half of the season:

“Obviously, Oscar had his thing today as well [retired with a gearbox failure], it's not like we're the only one, but it does feel like it is happening substantially more to me than others.

“Hopefully, it swings around. I don't wish any bad luck on anyone, but I've never had a season like this in my whole career, let alone my F1 career.”

He was also asked how he plans to move on from his disappointing opening half to the season:

”Don't be disappointed with things outside of your control. Today, the race was totally ruined.I did my procedure right at the start. 

“The pace was fine. The result was s**t. But the things that I could have controlled, they were just okay.I usually don't feel like I need a break this year. I definitely feel like I need one.”

Russell now sits nine points behind Hamilton and a total of 59 points behind his teammate in the standings. F1 will return in late August with the paddock heading to the Netherlands.