Bernie Collins heard something over George Russell’s radio that is perfect for F1’s 2026 regulations

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George Russell will start a season among the F1 title favourites for the first time in his career in 2026, with Mercedes widely expected to perfect the new engine regulations.

The 27-year-old has never ranked among the top three in the F1 drivers’ standings over his seven seasons in the field so far. Russell replaced Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes in 2022, but he joined at the moment the Silver Arrows fell away thanks to the ground-effect regulations.

Mercedes could never get on top of the ground-effect rules introduced in 2022, which put a great deal of importance on extracting performance through the venturi tunnels in the floor. But the Brackley bunch are expected to bounce back next year with the 2026 F1 regulations.

F1 is introducing the biggest overhaul of the regulations to date next season, as it introduces active aerodynamics for the first time. F1 is even increasing the electrical power output from a 20/80 split in favour of combustion to 50/50, along with moving to 100% sustainable fuels.

George Russell’s ability to process data during a race will let him ‘go far’

Mercedes are widely expected to have the best 2026 F1 rules engine, which is also expected to be the major differentiator. Even Russell feels only McLaren would not swap their 2026 F1 car for Mercedes’, having won the past two teams’ titles using a customer Mercedes engine.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about the 2026 F1 engine and aero regulations

Bernie Collins thinks Russell may also have another advantage for the 2026 regulations after listening to his Mercedes team radio through the 2025 season. The ex-Aston Martin head of race strategy believes Russell’s ability to process data during a race will allow him to “go far”.

Collins said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast: “He does seem very focused. He sits down, he spends a lot of time, they all spend a lot of time with their engineers, but taking it in, he seems to understand a lot [of] what’s going on around him.

“And I think, when I look at drivers or listen to drivers, particularly when you’re listening to their team radio, the drivers that really understand different regulations [and] what’s going on with different cars on track, those are the ones that do the best.

“The people who can do the strategy for the guy ahead and the guy behind, they’re the drivers that are going to go far, and George is one of those.”

Bernie Collins saw George Russell come out of Lewis Hamilton’s ‘shadow’ in 2025

Mercedes’ expected advantage at the start of the 2026 regulations cycle will put Russell in a position to fight for the drivers’ title for the first time. The Briton only boasts five Grand Prix wins and seven pole positions to date, of which he achieved two of each in the 2025 season.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

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Collins also feels Russell grew a lot during the 2025 season, as Lewis Hamilton leaving to join Ferrari after winning six of his seven titles with Mercedes let his compatriot move out of his “shadow”. Russell became Mercedes’ new team leader beside rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

“I think it’s been interesting since Lewis has left the team,” Collins added: “He just seems to have grown a lot, you can see it in how he holds himself, how he talks to us [and] how he’s walking through the paddock.

“He’s just like been fit to breathe, that I think he always felt a bit in the shadow before. And he knows that next year is a massive opportunity for that team and for him.

“So, yes, he will be a little bit sad that Lando’s done it before him. But he knows that his chance is coming.”