Russell’s 2026 F1 Title Hopes Dwindle After Spanish Grand Prix

George Russell has effectively conceded that his 2026 championship challenge is slipping away, admitting it is now “exceptionally unlikely” that he can overhaul Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli. The Briton’s candid assessment came after a Spanish Grand Prix in which Antonelli claimed his eighth victory of the season while Russell could manage only fifth at the Madring. The result stretched the Italian’s advantage over his team-mate from 25 to 81 points across the last five rounds. With nine Grands Prix theoretically remaining, Russell is refusing to declare his title hopes mathematically dead. Emotionally, however, he has already moved on. “I’m not…