Russell praises Antonelli's 'perfect start' to Mercedes' 2026 title battle

George Russell praised his young teammate Kimi Antonelli after the 19‑year‑old clinched back‑to‑back wins in China and Japan, extending his lead to nine points over the Briton early in the 2026 season. The Italian’s perfect start has turned the Mercedes drivers’ championship into an early intra‑team duel, while Russell stays confident about the long haul.

Why it matters:

• Antonelli leads the Mercedes drivers' standings, pressuring Russell and shifting the team's title plan.
• A fierce intra‑team fight could push Mercedes to speed up 2026 car development, affecting the whole championship.
• Early points swings matter in a season where every race counts for the Constructors' title.

The details:

• Antonelli won in Shanghai and Suzuka, totalling 44 points; Russell has 35 after Melbourne and a sprint win in Shanghai.
• Russell called Antonelli incredibly quick and said their rivalry fuels motivation for the season.
• Russell blamed a technical hiccup and a poorly timed Safety Car in Japan for stalling his momentum.
• Before Miami, Russell praised Mercedes' current package but warned rain could shake strategy on the fast circuit.

What's next:

• Miami’s fast, flowing layout offers overtaking, but rain could twist strategy.
• Both drivers will chase the points gap—Russell aims to regain momentum while Antonelli looks to extend his lead.
• With 23 races left, the championship stays open and intra‑team battles will shape the title fight.