George Russell sends confident Miami Grand Prix message after April reset

Mercedes Formula 1 driver George Russell is feeling confident for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix after the April break has proved a "good reset" for him. 

The Briton suffered two troublesome race weekends at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix. While he won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race, he finished second and fourth in the aforementioned grands prix.

Russell's team-mate Kimi Antonelli was able to capitalise on the opportunities and has since become the youngest driver to lead the championship after back-to-back wins in China and Japan.

F1 is currently in an unexpected five-week break between the Japanese and Miami Grands Prix due to the cancellation of the races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

During an interview with IWC Schaffhausen at Watches and Wonders 2026 in Geneva for the launch of the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive timepiece, Russell explained that the break had been a good reset and he is feeling confident.

"Yeah, feeling great ahead of Miami. It's been, for us as a team, an amazing start to the year. For me personally, it started off really, really well. Had a challenging race in Japan, but it's a hell of a long season, and the most important thing is we got a really good package beneath us.

George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Paul Crock / AFP via Getty Images

"I'm feeling good, feeling confident. This small mini break has been a good reset, and I'm ready to go for it again."

The 28-year-old driver added, "I really enjoy the circuit in Miami. It's fast, it's flowing. You then have that really tight section towards the end of the track.

"Usually lots of good overtaking opportunities. It's hot. There's been a lot of potential bad weather around in the years gone by, but it's always seemingly just missed us. So that's also something that can play a part in Miami."