Rosberg urges Russell to step away from F1 over the winter after title loss

After Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 drivers’ title in Mexico City on Sunday, Nico Rosberg advised George Russell to spend the winter away from Formula 1, turn his attention elsewhere and only then begin preparing for next season.

Rosberg said Russell could not know whether the current situation would carry into next year or whether he could recover, and described that uncertainty as frightening. He urged Russell to remember the good moments of the season and praised his preparation, rating him among the sport’s best drivers.

Russell entered 2026 as the title favourite and won the Australian season opener. Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli closed the standings gap after a challenging rookie season in 2025, then clinched the championship in Mexico City with four rounds to spare. He became Formula 1’s youngest champion.

Rosberg himself lost the title to Lewis Hamilton in 2014 and 2015 before winning in his final season, 2016. He also said Antonelli appears to be good at preparing himself.