The Chinese automaker is exploring F1 options including team entry, supply, or sponsorship under new electrification-focused rules.
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Mercedes deputy team principal Bradley Lord has spoken about the team’s view on Kimi Antonelli and George Russell going head-to-head in the F1 title race.
Mercedes have been the clear frontrunners over the first three rounds of the 2026 season, with both drivers picking up wins.
Russell kicked things off by taking the opener in Australia before Antonelli responded with consecutive victories in China and Japan.
That run has given Antonelli a nine-point lead heading into next week’s Miami Grand Prix, as Mercedes look to extend their early dominance.
Lord addressed the growing rivalry between Antonelli and Russell, saying that Mercedes are eager to see it play out over the course of the season.
He added that Mercedes wants their drivers to be intense and fully committed throughout the rest of the campaign. Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show, Lord said:
“And then, a brilliant fight between George and Kimi, and neither of them has had a smooth run through the weekend so far.
“So it would be fun as well to see if both get smooth FP1 and then how that sort of competition starts to shape up as well, because that rivalry as an F1 driver is always there.
“Your teammate is a colleague but also your biggest rival, and we know that that is going to continue to grow. It’s in a really good place at the moment, and we hope it will stay there too.
“But, we want it to be intense, and we want it to be all-out competition on track. So it’s going to be fun to get back to that as well.”
Going into 2026, most expected Russell’s experience to give him the edge in the championship race.
But after back-to-back wins for Antonelli, it’s clear he has the ability to push Russell all the way. The fight for the title looks set to be much closer than many anticipated.
Brundle, speaking to Sky Sports, advised Russell to approach Antonelli with the same level of respect he showed Hamilton during his prime years.
“It’s difficult times for George and he’s got to treat Kimi Antonelli just as if he’s Lewis Hamilton in his peak and a threat for the championship.”
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George Russell has backed a comment made by Lewis Hamilton regarding the new Formula 1 regulations, which are set to take effect in 2026.
The FIA has introduced several changes for 2026, including cars that are smaller and lighter, with a greater emphasis on battery power. The aim is to make racing more exciting and improve the overall spectacle.
But not everyone is convinced. Max Verstappen has been vocal in his criticism, calling the new rules ‘anti-driving’ and suggesting they could harm the sport more than help it.
The Dutchman didn’t hold back, even likening the changes to playing Mario Kart rather than real racing. After Verstappen’s remarks following the Japanese Grand Prix, there were reports he might consider leaving F1 at the end of 2026.
Russell spoke recently on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast about the backlash against F1’s new rule changes.
The 28-year-old noted that he doesn’t share the same outlook as some of his fellow drivers, including Verstappen, who compared the new era to ‘Mario Kart’.
Russell also pointed out a ‘great point’ Hamilton made in favour of the 2026 regulations.
He said: “I definitely don’t share that at all. I’m personally really enjoying the car. The power unit and the engine are definitely different. And it just needs some fine-tuning to really optimise it.
“But it’s given an opportunity to battle harder, and back-and-forth racing. We’re here at a kart track now. And Lewis made a great point – in a kart race, you overtake one corner, he overtakes back. And they overtake again.
“And no one’s ever called that Mario Kart or yo-yo racing or whatever the terminology is. We actually call it pure racing and great racing. It’s easy to highlight things we don’t like and forget about a lot of the goodness of it.”
Speaking ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Russell explained why he believes the changes will make life easier for everyone involved.
“There are some small quirks, which the FIA have done their best to eradicate those quirks. These are details that are sort of so complicated, and honestly, fans don’t really need to understand,” he said.
“From this race forward, with these minor changes the sport are making, it will make our life easier. We’ll be flat out in the straights on a qualifying lap, and we won’t have to lift off to manage any of the energy.”
With the first test of these tweaks set for Miami, fans and teams alike will be watching closely to see if they deliver as promised.
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Isack Hadjar is the seventh driver to line up alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull since 2016, and the young Frenchman has admitted he had his concerns about taking on that role.
The seat next to Verstappen has developed a reputation over the years, with several drivers struggling to meet expectations. After Daniel Ricciardo’s departure in 2019, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon, Sergio Perez, Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda all found it difficult to keep pace.
Hadjar stepped into the role after a strong rookie season with Racing Bulls. Although the team hoped new regulations would signal a fresh start, there was still plenty of talk about past issues surrounding that second seat.
Damon Hill had warned that Verstappen could overwhelm Hadjar mentally, given how others had struggled before him. It was a warning that clearly wasn’t lost on the young Frenchman.
Speaking to F1’s official YouTube channel, Hadjar admitted the past struggles of Verstappen’s teammates weighed on his mind. However, he was confident in his ability to prove himself.
“Of course I did in a way because, you look at the gaps between Max’s teammates and you’re like, ‘Wow, this is weird,” he said about joining Red Bull.
“But at the same time I’m realistic. I’m like, it’s a new regulation, we have the same car. If I believe I’m good, I’m good. And that’s end of the story.”
And he wasn’t wrong. Hadjar has looked much closer to Verstappen so far this season, even holding a 2-1 lead in qualifying after outpacing him in Australia and Japan.
His performance in Melbourne was particularly strong, lining up third on the grid before retiring with a mechanical issue, while Verstappen crashed during qualifying. Marc Priestley said after that Red Bull ‘desperately’ needed Hadjar.
While Verstappen has 12 points compared to Hadjar’s four, the pace difference is smaller than it’s been for years. James Hinchcliffe went as far as to say Hadjar had ended Red Bull’s ‘second car blues’, and the young Frenchman feels he’s right there.
“Yeah, like you say, it’s a small sample,” Hadjar added. “The car is what it is right now, very hard to drive, but all the time I’m not too far.”
“And I’m happy with how I delivered in those first three races with the car I have underneath me, gave the most of it. All in all, it’s pretty good.”
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