George Russell urges his fellow drivers to give the new Formula 1 cars a fair shot. The premier class is in the first test week in Bahrain, and several drivers — including Max Verstappen — have so far expressed dissatisfaction with the driving experience in the 2026 challengers. While Russell understands the Dutchman’s criticism of the new machines, he sided with countryman Lando Norris: ‘Verstappen is welcome to go to the Nordschleife’
George Russell has wrapped up his first test week in Bahrain. The Brit posted the quickest time of the week on Friday morning, before team-mate Andrea Kimi Antonelli went quicker. Russell has already put plenty of hours in the W17 and says he’s pleasantly surprised by the 2026 car. “I think the new cars are a step forward and I always like to give things a chance,” Russell told reporters in Bahrain. “We’ve only been four days into a set of regulations that will remain in place for more than three years. The progress everyone will make in these first months will be enormous.”
For the Mercedes driver the new W17 feels more agreeable than its temperamental predecessors. “The cars drive much nicer. I’ve only twice driven the smaller-generation F1 cars and I couldn’t believe the difference: the car feels far more agile because it’s lighter and smaller. So that’s very positive.”
Yet the Brit also ran into something that went against his instincts as a driver. “The only challenge we face is using very low gears through the corners,” Russell continued. “Here in Bahrain the first corner is usually taken in third gear. Now we have to use first gear to keep the engine revs very high so the turbo keeps spinning. Sometimes it feels a bit like pulling the handbrake when you have to downshift.”
Russell agrees with Norris
Max Verstappen also raised that last point in his criticism of the new F1 cars. The Dutchman labelled Formula 1 in 2026 a kind of ‘Formula E on steroids’. Lando Norris, for his part, disagreed with the Dutchman’s remarks and even said: “If Verstappen wants to stop, he can just stop.”
Russell sides with his compatriot. “As Lando already said, we’re privileged to be in this position (of being an F1 driver, ed.). And honestly, I just want to win. I think a driver who has won a lot recently simply wants the best car and the most fun car to drive. So yes, Verstappen is welcome to go to the Nordschleife, I think.”
