Brundle: Russell will have to worry about rising teammate Antonelli

Martin Brundle, Sky Sports F1 analyst, says George Russell will soon be more worried about his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli than the title hunt. Antonelli’s win in Japan put the 19‑year‑old on top of the drivers’ standings, leaving Russell – who started the year with wins in Australia and the Chinese sprint – nine points behind as they head into Miami.

Why it matters:

A teammate clash at Mercedes could reshape the 2024 title fight. Antonelli’s surge forces Russell into a direct intra‑team battle, risking lost points and the internal friction that often derails championship bids.

The details:

• Antonelli’s Suzuka win gave him his first F1 victory and lifted him to the top of the drivers’ championship, making him the youngest ever to lead.
• Russell opened 2024 with wins in Melbourne and the Chinese sprint, but now trails Antonelli by nine points before the Miami GP.
• Brundle praised Antonelli’s composure after a Melbourne crash and his strong qualifying pace, while noting Russell’s wet‑weather skill could still give him an edge.

What's next:

Miami, the first street race of the year, will be the real test of the Mercedes duel. If Antonelli keeps his pace, Russell could be forced into a points scramble within the team, and Mercedes must manage the rivalry to keep both drivers focused on the title.