James Hinchcliffe Advises George Russell to Shift Focus to 2027 Season

Former IndyCar Series driver and F1 TV analyst James Hinchcliffe has argued that George Russell should treat the remainder of the 2026 season as early preparation for 2027, declaring the Briton's championship fight a "write-off" following the Spanish Grand Prix. The inaugural race at the Madring circuit in Madrid saw Russell finish fifth, while his Mercedes team-mate and championship leader Kimi Antonelli capitalised on a virtual safety car to take his eighth career victory.

The result extended Antonelli's lead over the 28-year-old to 81 points in the drivers' standings. Although Russell remains mathematically in contention, he admitted after the race that he is realistically out of the title fight, stating he will focus on taking the remaining events race-by-race to secure solid results.

Reviewing Russell's comments, Hinchcliffe suggested that the Mercedes driver should use the upcoming races to determine what is holding him back from matching Antonelli's pace. He added that Russell could effectively treat the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, scheduled at the Baku City Circuit from 24 to 26 September, as the starting point for his 2027 campaign.