Russell predicts “overtakes in obscure locations” with 2026 F1 cars

Mercedes driver George Russell is bullish about Formula 1’s new technical era from 2026, predicting that racing will be improved.

F1 is having one of its most comprehensive regulatory overhauls next year, with new power units featuring a near 50:50 split between combustion and electric power. Chassis will feature active aerodynamics, meaning all cars will enjoy low drag on the straights. As a consequence, DRS has been scrapped while a Manual Override Mode – likened to IndyCar’s push-to-pass – will help provide more overtaking.

Russell is actually unsure about the effect of the Override Mode, but believes the nimbler cars will be successful in improving the show – in potentially surprising ways.

“I think you'll see more overtakes next year, but more overtakes in obscure locations, in locations where we've never seen overtakes before,” the Mercedes racer said. “If a driver's at the bottom of their battery, and the one behind has more battery in a given section of the track, they can suddenly jump past them at a corner in the past where there would never be an overtake.

“In terms of override itself, I don't know, but we said in the past we never like to see just pure DRS overtakes. I think the 2026 regs will offer better racing.”

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Pirelli has been developing its 2026 tyres, which will be narrower than their predecessors – but the Italian manufacturer is torn as ever between providing durable rubber that drivers can push on and creating variety in strategies.  

“We are selfish as drivers, and you want the best cars, and the fastest cars, and the most enjoyable cars for us,” Russell admitted. “We have to recognise that we are one of 20, and there's 100+ million people following the sport week in, week out.

“So, I don't know what the perfect solution is. If you could magically create a tyre, you'd say, if it's a 60-lap race, a hard tyre could do 30 laps, and then it falls off a cliff, the medium does 20 laps, and it falls off a cliff, and the soft does 10 laps, and then it falls off a cliff. If you could magically achieve that, I guess that would be the perfect scenario, and then drivers can pick and choose different strategies.

“But, I do appreciate for Pirelli it's really not easy – developing a tyre, when we go to all these different circuits and all the circuits have different tarmacs as well, is very difficult. So, if all the tarmacs were the same across the tracks, then it would be much easier for them to develop a tyre to achieve something as we've spoken.”

Mercedes is currently battling Ferrari and Red Bull for the runner-up spot in the constructors’ championship – the Scuderia has collected 356 points, leading Mercedes (355) and Red Bull (346) – but Russell reiterated his team’s commitment to next year’s project only.

“We probably have 95% of the team working on 2026,” the Briton said. “The team you see at the racetrack, they're like the final warriors who are focused on this year's car, but in terms of development, everybody's on next year.

“Even for me now, when I drive on the simulator, I'm driving only next year's car, and focused on that. So, yeah, a lot of emphasis for 2026.”