Formula 1’s technical “reset” plays into the hands of established structures—with consequences for the title race: Will George Russell be world champion in 2026?
Even during the Formula 1 shakedown in Barcelona, former Grand Prix participant Karun Chandhok had already picked his favorite for the 2026 World Championship: Chandhok believes that Mercedes driver George Russell has a particularly good chance this year. Chandhok said this in an interview with Sky.
The former HRT and Lotus driver bases his theory on the changed technical rules and explained: “In my opinion, this year it’s a big advantage to get the chassis and powertrain from a single source. That’s basically the case with Mercedes, Audi, Ferrari, and Red Bull—although Audi and Red Bull can excuse themselves by saying they are new Formula 1 manufacturers.”
The situation is different for Ferrari and Mercedes: both factory teams have years of experience in Formula 1 and are among the most successful racing teams in the field. “They are genuine factory teams. There are really no excuses for them this year,” said Chandhok.
In case of doubt, teams such as Ferrari and Mercedes have an advantage over their customer teams, explained Chandhok: “Although the regulations stipulate that customers get the same powertrains as the factory team, I think it’s better if both sides—chassis and powertrain—communicate much more closely and are more integrated with each other.” A factory team can achieve this knowledge transfer, but a customer team can only do so to a limited extent.
“That’s exactly why George Russell is my favorite for the title,” said Chandhok. Russell is the more experienced Mercedes driver compared to Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is only competing in his second Formula 1 season in 2026 and, unlike Russell, is still winless.
Russell has achieved five of Mercedes’ seven successes since 2022 and finished fourth in the Formula 1 drivers’ standings in both 2022 and 2025. In three years at Mercedes alongside former champion Lewis Hamilton, Russell only lost out in a direct team duel in 2023.
