Formula One has, in the year of 2026, perhaps never been as unpredictable and unexpected as demonstrated by the opening scenes of the still nascent season.
Three races in, there’ve been unforeseen winners, unpredicted changes to the schedule and the unanticipated reality of regulation changes dawning.
All of which have thrown the door to this year’s drivers’ championship wide open.
It’s an opportunity not to be sniffed at by Mercedes’ George Russell who’s been strongly tipped to contend this season.
Entering his eighth season in the sport, the Brit admits he’s equipped with the best car this season and hopes he can deliver on the promise that has followed his career.
The 28-year-old just hopes it’s not a fleeting moment.
“I believe these opportunities will come more than once,” says Russell, speaking to CNN Sports as an IWC Schaffhausen ambassador at the watchmaking show, Watches and Wonders, in Geneva, Switzerland.
“It’s very rare for somebody in any industry, if you’re working so hard to achieve a certain goal, that you only ever get one shot.
“You want to take every single moment, not take it for granted and try and seize the day. I’m hoping this isn’t going be the one and only shot. I’m going to go for it this year.”
To achieve the dream of a maiden world championship, he’ll have to navigate a familiar set of obstacles.
Not only the threat from the traditional powerhouses of McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull but also that posed by a teammate and direct rival – something Russell thrives on.
“I still love the competition so much. I need that in my life just to drive me forward … to keep me going so that’s what I love most about Formula One,” he admits.
Russell has twice finished fourth in the end of season standings since joining Mercedes in the 2022 season.
He’s consistently beaten his teammate in all but one season – 2023, when he finished behind seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
Following Hamilton’s blockbuster move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Italian driver Kimi Antonelli was given the daunting task of taking up the mantle, ultimately finishing seventh in what was his rookie campaign.
But so far this season, the 19-year-old has made his competitors, pundits and fans alike sit up and take notice.
After Russell claimed victory at the opening race of the season in Melbourne, Antonelli responded in emphatic fashion.
Not only did he become the sport’s youngest-ever polesitter at the Chinese Grand Prix, but victories in Shanghai and then Suzuka saw him climb to the top of the standings ahead of Russell.
In doing so, he became F1’s youngest ever championship leader and holds a nine-point lead over Russell.
“Kimi’s a fantastic driver,” he explains to CNN. “I already got a very good glimpse at how talented and fast he was throughout last year.