George Russell confused by lack of pace at F1 US GP despite upgraded W17

George Russell is desperately searching for answers after “not being quick enough” at the United States Grand Prix as team-mate Kimi Antonelli closes in on the Formula 1 world title.

Antonelli dominated Sunday’s race at Austin from pole, whereas Russell started sixth but finished eighth, having received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by running off-track on the opening lap.

It came on lap one when the Briton was defending from Oscar Piastri heading into Turn 12, where he left the track and rejoined ahead of the McLaren to keep his position.

But that penalty had little impact on his finishing position anyway since, without it, he’d have theoretically finished seventh instead of the Australian with a point gain of just two.

So when asked by Sky Sports what he’s particularly struggling with, Russell replied: “Just not being quick enough, to be honest.

“I need to try and understand why it is. It’s strange when you’re so far off, so hopefully there’s some answers somewhere. But, anyway, I don’t have one.”

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Russell’s result came despite a recently upgraded W17, which he claims has a ‘narrow set-up window’ as evidenced by his up-and-down form since it was introduced in Malaysia.

There, Antonelli finished runner-up to the dominant Max Verstappen while Russell was set to finish third until a late power unit failure caused him to retire.

In Singapore, Verstappen won again with Antonelli third, while Russell took a lowly ninth meaning it is now three grands prix without a podium for the Briton amid a horrid 2026.

Speaking later with the written media in Austin, Russell said: “The pace wasn't good on the first stint.

“But when I came out of the pits on the hard [tyres], I probably did six laps where I was lapping the same pace as Kimi. But then I caught up with Oscar and I just couldn't overtake.

“Six good laps, 50 bad laps. I want to understand why the pace was so bad on the first stint. The penalty was a bit ridiculous as well, but that was at least some of my worries after such a bad weekend.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Pierluigi Orsi, Mercedes

Photo by: Colin McMaster / LAT Images via Getty Images

The results means that Antonelli is likely to become champion in Mexico next weekend, holding a 123-point advantage over Russell with 125 left available ahead of the final five rounds.

Russell is then only one-point above third-placed Lewis Hamilton and sixth ahead of Verstappen in fourth, while Mercedes is set to win the constructors’ title as it’s 133 points in front of Ferrari.

“For me, as long as we win the constructors’ [championship], that's the main thing,” said Russell. “For the team, obviously I'd like to finish best of the rest but P2, P3, P5 is not champion so it doesn't mean anything.”

Formula 1How will Kimi Antonelli become F1 world champion at Mexico GP?

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