Jolyon Palmer believes George Russell isn’t feeling the same pressure in his title bid that Lando Norris experienced last season.
Only three races into the 2026 F1 calendar, Mercedes already look to be in control of the championship, with Russell and Kimi Antonelli setting the early pace.
Russell opened the season with a win in Australia but has since seen his teammate take back-to-back victories in China and Japan.
Antonelli now leads the standings by nine points heading into this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
Even though Russell is currently behind Antonelli in the standings, former F1 driver Palmer thinks he isn’t feeling any real pressure yet and remains confident.
Palmer, who raced for Renault during his career, also drew a comparison between Russell’s approach this year and how Lando Norris handled his title fight last season.
He said on the F1 Nation podcast: “I feel like there is a difference when I look at George compared to Lando last year. I think Lando felt like there was more pressure on his shoulders with just the way he was speaking, the way he was saying he’s not comfortable with the car.
“He arrived in China having won in Melbourne, but he was still saying, ‘I’m not feeling the love from the car’. George is shoulders back, he’s waltzing down the paddock, he is still, you know, the confident air in him.
“I think every time he turns up at the moment, he thinks he is going to win. It didn’t happen in Japan but I don’t see yet him having any sort of pressure on his shoulders.
“Of course it must be there but I don’t see him. I don’t see that coming just after one weekend where he’s been categorically outpaced. Maybe it will come in a few races but for now I think he is still confident.”
Despite entering 2026 as the clear title favourite, Russell said he isn’t worrying about the overall championship picture yet.
Instead, he’s focused on staying in his routine and taking each session as it comes.
Speaking to the BBC’s Chequered Flag, Russell explained: “I was a bit surprised about that myself. I’m just going about my process day to day. Every time I get in a race car, I don’t think about the big picture, which is winning the championship.
“I just think about here in the moment, you know, going out and qualifying. How am I going to drive the fastest lap possible for the race? How am I going to get the best race start, the best race? Trying to stand on the top step (of the podium) and just go about my business like that.”
The Brit continued: “Of course, I know that we’re in this fight but it’s not something that I’m even thinking about. Because I know to win a championship you’ve just got to go through those processes.”
Russell might appear relaxed for now, but as Mercedes continues its run of dominance and expectations rise for him to become world champion, it wouldn’t be surprising if pressure started to build later in the season.
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