Lando Norris urges drivers to adapt as Mercedes says car does not suit George Russell

Norris advises drivers to adjust their style after Mercedes chief Toto Wolff said the 2026 car is not suited to George Russell.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 31 Oct 2026 12:56:07 GMT

Lando Norris said drivers need to adapt to their cars as Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff claimed the 2026 car does not suit George Russell. The comments came after Russell finished eighth in Austin while teammate Kimi Antonelli moved within two points of the championship.

What happened

At the Circuit of the Americas race on 27 October, Antonelli claimed his ninth win of the season, putting him two points ahead of Russell in the drivers’ standings. Russell finished eighth. Following the race, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said the current car "does not suit" Russell but suggested the team could improve the package to match his strengths.

What the reports add

Both Independent articles report the same sequence of events. The first article notes that Russell explained his driving style is heavier on the rear tyres and that he is on the throttle earlier than most, which he says may be disadvantaged by the new 2026 power units. The second article repeats this explanation and adds that Russell admitted he has been outperformed by his young teammate.

What was said

"Do a better job," Norris told drivers, according to the Independent. He urged them to adapt to their machinery rather than complain. Toto Wolff said the car "does not suit" Russell but that the team could get the car back on song with a more suitable machine. Russell said, "There's just a few factors with the cars this year that potentially favour or hinder a certain driving style. I'm on the throttle earlier than most. With these new power units…" (Independent).

How it came about

Mercedes’ concerns follow a string of performance issues for Russell since the start of the 2026 season. Earlier this month, Norris highlighted the physical toll of the Austin circuit on drivers in a separate Felo News piece about the track’s bumps (Verstappen and Norris say Austin’s bumpy track is harming their spines). The ongoing debate over car‑setup and driver style has intensified as the championship heads to Mexico.

Key facts

Lando Norris said drivers need to adapt to their cars (independent.co.uk)
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the 2026 car does not suit George Russell (independent.co.uk)
Kimi Antonelli won his ninth race in Austin, moving within two points of the championship (independent.co.uk)
George Russell finished eighth in the Austin race (independent.co.uk)