Coulthard urges Russell to emulate Verstappen's resilience amid slump

Former F1 driver David Coulthard believes George Russell must channel Max Verstappen's resilience to escape his slump, as pressure builds from Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell's Belgian Grand Prix ended on the opening lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton, while Antonelli won at Spa to further stretch his championship lead and deepen his teammate's points deficit.

Why it matters:

Russell has slipped to third and is losing ground to a teammate who has looked the quicker Mercedes driver for much of the season. Coulthard's comparison to Verstappen underscores the mental fortitude required when a title campaign unravels, and how a deficit can become terminal without a swift reset.

The details:

• Russell's Belgian Grand Prix lasted one lap after contact with Lewis Hamilton at Spa, while Antonelli's victory stretched his lead and left Russell trailing in third.
• On the Up to Speed podcast, Coulthard cited Verstappen's rebound from the British Grand Prix, where a rear-wing reattachment failure forced his retirement.
• Verstappen's Spa podium came after Red Bull abandoned its experimental "Macarena wing" concept, a technological step back that Coulthard said delivered immediate gains.
• Isack Hadjar also impressed for Red Bull at Spa, signaling a broader team upturn following the technical reset.

What's next:

Russell faces a shrinking window to halt his decline and prove he can lead Mercedes under pressure. Coulthard is confident the Briton can "dig deep," yet Antonelli's lead grows with each round. Channeling Verstappen's ability to reset after setbacks may be the only way Russell can salvage a campaign that is rapidly slipping from his grasp.