Montoya: Russell Must Fix His Own Driving, Not Focus on Antonelli, to Fight for 2026 Title

Juan Pablo Montoya has advised George Russell to look inward and adapt his driving rather than fixating on Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, warning that the Briton cannot win the 2026 title without fundamental changes.

Russell secured second at the British Grand Prix after Mercedes gambled on track position by keeping him out on used mediums when a late safety car emerged, but he admitted he didn't deserve the result and acknowledged that his performances must improve to sustain a championship challenge.

Why it matters:

With Russell trailing the 19-year-old Antonelli by 25 points despite a fortunate Silverstone podium, the pressure is rising. Montoya's assessment suggests Russell is at risk of losing sight of his own development by prioritizing his intra-team rivalry over understanding his machinery.

The details:

• Russell called his runner-up finish undeserved, telling F1 TV he felt more satisfied breaking down from the lead in Canada because he had earned that potential win.
• Montoya argued Russell is "focused so much on Antonelli" and needs to figure out what the car is preventing him from doing, then adjust his setup and style accordingly.
• Antonelli leads the standings with a 25-point buffer over Russell. Lewis Hamilton sits third for Ferrari, while British GP winner Charles Leclerc occupies fourth.

What's next:

Russell faces a pivotal phase of the 2026 season where he must convert raw pace into consistent results. Unless he addresses the underlying issues with his driving and car adaptation, Montoya's warning that he cannot challenge for the title will likely prove accurate as the championship battle heats up.