Marko doubts Russell will get another F1 title chance

Former Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko questioned whether George Russell will get another chance to compete for a Formula 1 world title, as Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli approaches the championship in 2026. Marko also said he doubted Russell would again hold a team-leading role at Mercedes or elsewhere. Speaking to Sky Deutschland, Marko described Antonelli as having taken Mercedes’ No. 1 status from Russell. He called Russell a top driver but said the season had been a major setback and cast doubt on his future title prospects. Those comments are Marko’s assessment, not a confirmed decision about Russell’s standing or future with Mercedes. Antonelli holds a 102-point advantage over Russell, according to one report, and could clinch the title at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The reported conditions are an Antonelli win, Russell finishing ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth or lower. Russell has acknowledged he is no longer in the title fight this season, while the championship outcome remains to be decided. Russell said his sleepless nights were driven less by the standings than by his own performance and how to recover his pace. During the...