George Russell (Left): Image Credits: IMAGO / IPA Sport Max Verstappen (Right): Image Credits: IMAGO / Every Second Media
George Russell (Left): Image Credits: IMAGO / IPA Sport Max Verstappen (Right): Image Credits: IMAGO / Every Second Media
Jul 20, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT
"Welcome to F1 2026": Max Verstappen openly taunts F1 after George Russell's Belgian GP debacle
Max Verstappen dropped yet another hilarious quote in his episodic criticism of the 2026 F1 regulations. The Red Bull driver's comments came in the wake of the technical irregularities George Russell faced throughout the Belgian GP weekend.
Russell struggled to find straight-line speed and, in qualifying, was over half a second slower than Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who took pole. The 28-year-old Briton was despondent in his post-qualifying interview.
After the race on Sunday, the three podium finishers, Kimi Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen, were asked by Valentin Khorounzhiy of The Race about Russell's plight and how the new reliance on computers and algorithms for racing might have impacted his car.
"Yeah, I mean, welcome to F1 2026," Verstappen replied (via fia.com). "Sometimes it can be a jungle."
F1 Grand Prix Of Japan - Qualifying Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks to the media in the TV pen after qualifying 11th at the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, round 3 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, on March 28, 2026. Suzuka Mie Japan PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xWanxMikhailxRoslanx originalFilename:roslan-formula1260328_npFVq.jpg
F1 Grand Prix Of Japan - Qualifying Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands speaks to the media in the TV pen after qualifying 11th at the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, round 3 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, on March 28, 2026. Suzuka Mie Japan PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xWanxMikhailxRoslanx originalFilename:roslan-formula1260328_npFVq.jpg
The Dutchman's short answer came after Antonelli and Leclerc explained how complex the new power units are. Random losses in battery power are tough to figure out, and sometimes the mystery behind them isn't solved, as in Russell's case.
Leclerc faced a similar issue in the practice sessions, but after some "fine-tuning," found a better spot to secure P3 in qualifying.
Russell's losses were compounded in the 44-lap race at Spa, the longest track on the F1 calendar with long straights. He made contact with Lewis Hamilton exiting Turn 5 on Lap 1, spun, and got beached in the gravel.
He never even got to experience whether the problems from the previous sessions would continue haunting him in the race.
Toto Wolff takes "100%" blame for George Russell's misery
In the pre-race F1TV predictions by Juan Pablo Montoya and Alex Brundle, Max Verstappen wasn't going to finish on the podium. Both predicted that George Russell would eventually get the better of him.
Unfortunately, it turned upside down after Russell's Lap 1 DNF. However, the Mercedes driver did get a taste of the straight-line loss on the Kemmel Straight before Turn 5.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff addressed the matter while talking with Sky Sports post-race.
"The accident that happened was unfortunate for us," said Wolff. "We lost a lot of constructors' points and George's drivers' points. We had an issue on all Mercedes engines that we lacked the power out on the straights. That hit him badly, and it 100 per cent goes on us."
Kimi Antonelli, meanwhile, won the race despite losing position to Charles Leclerc under an ill-timed Virtual Safety Car. The 19-year-old Italian now has a 45-point margin over Lewis Hamilton in second and is 50 points ahead of Russell in third.
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