George Russell heads into this weekend’s British Grand Prix full of confidence after winning the Austrian Grand Prix and will be hoping to continue his strong title challenge at Silverstone.
The 28-year-old Brit is currently 40 points behind his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli in the Formula One drivers’ championship after eight races. Russell has bounced back well after a difficult spell earlier in the season, taking two pole positions in a row before winning in Austria.
Mercedes have been one of the strongest teams this season and have won nine of the last 13 British Grands Prix, including seven victories this year. With the team based close to Silverstone, they will be aiming for another strong result.
However, Russell is expected to face tough competition from reigning world champion Lando Norris, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, all of whom have previously won at Silverstone.
Hamilton, who claimed his first Ferrari victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, admitted Ferrari still lacks power compared to its main rivals.
“There’s no magic fix in racing,” Hamilton said. “It’s all about making small improvements.”
Russell welcomed the close competition at the front of the grid.
“I’d love a big fight,” he said. “You want the best drivers in the best teams battling each other. The more, the better. It reminds me of our karting days.”
A victory on Sunday would give Russell his first British Grand Prix win and make it three different British winners at Silverstone in the last three years, following Hamilton and Norris.
Meanwhile, Verstappen believes Red Bull may struggle on Silverstone’s high-speed layout despite finishing second in Austria.
The British Grand Prix will also feature the fourth sprint weekend of the 2026 Formula One season.
