Parc Ferme: George Regina in 2026 Formula 1 season?

His pole and win in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne pretty much confirmed it.

Then the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prx went off script.

After his dominant performance around Albert Park, you could have forgiven Mercedes’ number 1 driver for talking and acting like he already had one hand on the trophy.

Sure, he never actually said as much, but with the confidence he was exuding, you’d have thought it was all done bar the shouting.

The W17 was the class of the field in PU, algorithms, and chassis terms, and his young ‘padwan’ teammate seemed to have started the season where he ended; about two to three tenths behind him in race and qualifying pace. All George had to do was show up.

China started well enough for George, qualifying on pole and then winning the sprint race after an expected early tussle with the Ferraris. But what had started as a continuation of his antipodean dream then seemed to morph into a Chinese nightmare.

His initial Q3 attempt was brought to a halt with technical issues on track before crawling back to the pits to try again. However, his second and final run proved insufficient to push his understudy from the top of the timing sheet. Kimi Antonelli became the youngest F1 driver to secure the position, and Russell had to suck the anti-pole lemon.

The downward trajectory to reality continued in the main race. Both Mercedes were out-dragged and overtaken by the Ferraris at the start.

However, whilst Antonelli was soon back in the lead, and disappearing into the distance, Russell was left flailing around the two Ferraris who were having their own intense duel.

By the time he was able to get clear of them, his young charge had already left the building and was busy winning his first Grand Prix.

George could have been forgiven for thinking that China was just a stone in the smooth path to World Championship glory.

However, by FP2 in Suzuka, it was clear that Antonelli had not received the email. From this point onwards, the young Italian never looked back as he went on to dominate the weekend’s proceedings, and probably more frustratingly for his team leader, in an almost casual manner.

Russell was at pains to suggest that Antonelli’s win was only courtesy of a cheap safety car pitstop. But then if my aunt had balls, she would be my uncle.

The whole situation is reminiscent in some ways of the George and Lewis era, although in this instance, it’s Russell’s turn to be upstaged by a number 2.

Fortunately, he has some time to get his balance before Miami. Meanwhile, Antonelli is in that rare state where he seems oblivious to his innate talent and is just enjoying the ride.

This state of mind is, of course, conducive to flying higher and faster. I’m sure George will be keen to introduce him to the lead weight pressure of having a shot at the World Championship just as soon as he can.