George Russell's Title Hopes Alive as Brundle Cites McLaren's Norris Comeback

Martin Brundle has insisted that George Russell's Formula 1 title hopes are far from over, despite teammate Kimi Antonelli winning the last three grands prix to build a 20-point lead in the drivers' championship. The former F1 driver pointed to Lando Norris's remarkable turnaround last season as evidence that momentum can shift quickly.

Why it matters:

With 482 points still on the table across the remaining races, Russell's deficit is not insurmountable. However, Antonelli's dominant run has given him a clear psychological edge. Brundle's comparison to Norris—who trailed Oscar Piastri in mid-2025 before rallying to win the title in Abu Dhabi—offers a concrete precedent for Russell to draw confidence from.

The Details:

• Brundle's assessment: "There's a long way to go... I don't think the points deficit is that much of a problem for George Russell."
• Norris example: Brundle recalled Norris's clumsy collision with Piastri at last year's Canadian Grand Prix, a moment that seemed to damage his championship bid. Yet Norris recovered to become world champion.
• Current standings: After four races, Antonelli leads Russell by 20 points. The next round is Round 5 in Canada.
• Sprint weekend: This year's Canadian GP features the first Sprint of the season, adding extra pressure and opportunity.
• Weather factor: Conditions could be cold and wet on race day, potentially shaking up the order.

What's next:

Russell won at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve last season and will be eager to repeat that result. Brundle stresses the psychological importance of stopping Antonelli's streak now. "George needs to stop Antonelli in his tracks... it's more psychological than the mathematics," he told Sky Sports. A strong performance in Canada could be the turning point Russell needs to reignite his title challenge.