Russell flags Mercedes' race‑start weakness as Antonelli looms in Miami

George Russell says Mercedes still has one glaring weakness – its race‑start – as Kimi Antonelli’s strong launches keep the 19‑year‑old near the top of the 2026 title hunt. After three rounds, Russell trails Antonelli by nine points despite winning Melbourne, while Antonelli added wins in Shanghai and Suzuka. Russell insists he isn’t focused on his teammate, but on fixing launch and safety‑car restart procedures before Miami.

Why it matters:

• A weak race start can nullify Mercedes’ front‑row lockouts and let rivals like Ferrari and Antonelli steal points, keeping the championship fight wide open.

The details:

• Points gap – Antonelli leads Russell by nine points after Melbourne, Shanghai and Suzuka.
• Start deficit – Mercedes lost 22 places off the line across the first three races; Ferrari’s smaller turbo provides a quicker launch.
• Procedural errors – Russell was passed by Hamilton on the Japanese safety‑car restart and later by Leclerc, costing a podium.

What's next:

• Mercedes will prioritize launch‑control software updates and driver‑restart drills before the Miami weekend.
• If the team can shave a second or two off the start, Russell could close the points gap and re‑assert his position as title favourite.
• The next eight races will test whether the British driver’s self‑improvement plan translates into consistent podiums and, ultimately, the championship.