George Russell has come under fire from a former Formula 1 world champion, who delivered a harsh assessment of the Mercedes driver’s recent form with a blunt verdict that he has “gone missing” from the competitive picture.
The criticism arrives as Russell navigates the early stages of the 2026 season alongside teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, his first year without Lewis Hamilton as a reference point after the seven-time champion’s move to Ferrari.
Russell Faces Pointed Criticism
The exact context and timing of the former champion’s remarks remain unclear, but the language used suggests frustration with Russell’s visibility at the sharp end of the grid. The “gone missing” characterisation implies a perceived drop in performance or impact compared to previous seasons.
Russell enters 2026 as Mercedes’ senior driver following Hamilton’s departure, a responsibility that carries heightened scrutiny. The 28-year-old British driver has been with the team since 2022 and secured his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix.
Mercedes in Transition
Mercedes faces its own challenges in adapting to the sweeping 2026 technical regulations, which introduced new chassis architecture, substantially revised power units with increased electric output, and active aerodynamics. The team’s competitiveness in the opening races of the season will determine whether Russell’s form is a driver issue or a reflection of the car’s underlying pace.
Russell’s partnership with rookie Antonelli, who stepped up from Formula 2, adds another dimension to the assessment. Early-season results will clarify whether the young Italian is matching or exceeding Russell’s pace, which could explain the pointed critique from the paddock’s established voices.
The next rounds of the championship will provide clearer evidence of where Russell and Mercedes stand as the season develops through May and into the European leg of the calendar.