Bernie Ecclestone Backed Over George Russell F1 Title Snub

Bernie Ecclestone has backed Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen as the only two contenders for the 2026 F1 title, snubbing pre-season favorite George Russell. A GPblog poll shows 80.7% of readers agree, signaling a rapid shift in expectations after just four rounds.

Why it matters:

Russell entered 2026 as many people's pick for the championship, but his young Mercedes teammate Antonelli has stolen the spotlight with three consecutive victories, building a 20-point lead. Meanwhile, Verstappen has rebounded from early reliability woes, charging from a first-lap spin to P5 in Miami. Ecclestone's prediction—and the fan backing it—reflects the emerging narrative: the title race may already be a two-horse affair.

The details:

• Antonelli's dominance: At 19, he leads the standings as the youngest championship leader ever, with three wins in a row.
• Verstappen's resurgence: Despite a first-lap spin, he drove an alternative strategy to finish fifth, convincing Ecclestone he is "dangerous" again.
• Russell's defense: The Briton insists he has maximized results amid bad luck and cites Verstappen's 2025 title comeback as inspiration. One reader countered: "74 points behind... I don't see Merc making the same mistakes McLaren did."
• Poll verdict: 80.7% of GPblog voters sided with Ecclestone; only a minority argued that McLaren and Ferrari could still upset the order.

What's next:

The season is in its infancy, and Ecclestone's narrow view may prove premature. Ferrari and McLaren are banking on power unit and aero upgrades to challenge. But with Antonelli on fire and Verstappen finding form, Russell faces an uphill battle to force his way back into the conversation.