George Russell says Formula 1 in 2026 feels more like a go-kart race

Russell started the Sprint Race in Shanghai on pole but was overtaken by the seven-time F1 World Champion on the opening lap, with ​the former Mercedes teammates using the new electric-powered 'Boost' and 'Overtake' modes ​at different points on the track to trade positions over ⁠the first seven laps.

The Ferrari driver twice passed the F1 Championship ​leader into the Shanghai International Circuit's sweeping Turn 1 but Russell ​regained the place on the long back straight, turning the opening third of the 19-lap sprint into a battle of strategic energy deployment until Hamilton's ​tyres faded and Russell managed to open up a gap.

"There's a lot going on, but it makes it quite ​fun and definitely feels more like a go-kart race in the past," Russell ‌told ⁠reporters. "I don't ever remember Formula 1 being like that, where you have three or four cars fighting for the same position."

Hamilton's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished second, was also involved in the ​scrap at the ​front.

The new 2026 F1 regulations ⁠have resulted in lighter and smaller cars, with the minimum weight cut to 768kg from 800kg ​last year, and the chassis made shorter and narrower. The Pirelli tyres are also narrower but remain 18" in diameter.

Not ​all ⁠the drivers are enjoying the rules reset, however.

Williams' Carlos Sainz told reporters on Thursday he felt the new energy-assisted overtakes were "not the DNA ⁠of ​the sport."

"It's a not a real overtake ​of Formula 1, and anything that allows you to do that ... you can call ​it artificial," he added. (Reporting by Joe Cash)