Bernie Ecclestone rules out George Russell winning 2026 F1 title as he predicts two-horse race

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Bernie Ecclestone thinks the 2026 Formula 1 title will be won by either Kimi Antonelli or Max Verstappen, ruling George Russell out of contention.

The Mercedes driver was seen as the favourite for the championship, with the Silver Arrows being predicted to have the fastest car before the season started. Combined with his experience, Russell had a great opportunity to claim his first title.

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But after winning the first race of the season and the China Sprint, he has scored just one more podium. Teammate Antonelli has been on a record-breaking run, winning the last three races and extending his lead in the standings to 20 points.

Antonelli has been commanding the field in the W17, while his teammate is struggling to keep up. His weaknesses are being exposed, especially on low-grip surfaces, with Karun Chandhok likening Russell’s struggles to Oscar Piastri’s from 2025.

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Bernie Ecclestone thinks Kimi Antonelli or Max Verstappen will be 2026 champion

There is still a long way to go in 2026, but the momentum has certainly shifted into Antonelli’s favour, and Russell has a huge mountain to climb.

The constant defeats may be playing on his mind, with Jenson Button saying Russell is ‘downbeat’ after his latest loss to Antonelli in Miami. He needs to find a way to bounce back, but Ecclestone thinks it may already be too late.

Speaking via Blick, the former F1 boss does not even consider Russell as a title contender, believing it will be a battle between Mercedes teammate Antonelli and four-time champion Verstappen.

“Antonelli or Verstappen will be world champion! Red Bull has apparently overcome their slump. Max has rediscovered his fire – and when he does, he’s dangerous.”

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Before the Miami GP, not many would have put Verstappen in the conversation for the title. He has been open about his hatred of the current regulations, and Red Bull have been struggling to find top performance.

But after introducing several upgrades to the RB22, the mood around the team and the Dutchman changed as he stuck his car on the front row and finished P5.

Verstappen found his love for racing again in Miami, with Red Bull’s updates clearly making a huge difference. He cannot ever be ruled out of the title, but he will have to push hard if he is to catch the Mercedes of Antonelli by the end of the year.