Russell expects 2026 cars to push Monaco limits further than any recent edition

George Russell says this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix will produce more committed driving than recent editions, crediting the 2026 Formula 1 regulations with making the new generation of cars significantly easier to place on the limit around the streets of the principality.

The Mercedes driver pointed to the reduction in regulated minimum weight — from 800kg to 768kg — as a central reason why the 2026 machinery feels more responsive. “Last year’s cars were so big, they were so heavy, and they were so stiff as well that every single bump you’d feel and it could step the rear end out of the corner, you could lock up easier and veer off into the wall,” Russell said. “Whereas this feels more like a race car, it is more intuitive to drive.”

Russell also argued that the new cars open up closer wheel-to-wheel combat on tight street circuits, pointing to his multi-lap battle with Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli in Canada as evidence. “The battle I had with Kimi, I don’t think would have been possible in last year’s cars,” he said. “They were just so big, they were just so challenging to go wheel to wheel because they were so stiff. You had less margin for error, whereas now you can put your car in more risky positions.”

The wider reception to the 2026 regulations has been more divided. The near-50:50 split between electric and combustion power in the new power unit has drawn criticism from several drivers on the grid, though Russell has consistently been among its more vocal supporters.

On the championship picture, Mercedes have won all five grands prix held so far in 2026, but four of those victories belong to Antonelli. The 19-year-old leads the standings by 43 points over Russell, who retired from the lead in Canada with a power unit failure. Russell said he recovered quickly from that setback, noting that bad luck is an inevitable part of any title fight and that Antonelli will face his own share of misfortune in due course.