George Russell has upped the pressure on Mercedes F1 team-mate, and championship leader, Kimi Antonelli.
George Russell claims that the 2026 F1 drivers’ title is now Kimi Antonelli’s to lose, given Antonelli’s 43-point lead after Russell’s engine failure in Canada.
Historically, only Sebastian Vettel in 2012 and Max Verstappen in 2022 have overcome similar deficits to win the championship, making Russell see Antonelli as the current favorite.
Russell emphasized the need for Mercedes to trust its drivers in racing battles, citing their clean racing in Canada.
Despite the pressure, Russell remains focused on enjoying every race and maintaining his aggressive mindset without letting the situation affect him.
In a media address, Russell highlighted the importance of driver trust in wheel-to-wheel racing, stating that they push each other to the limits while staying within the boundaries of fair competition.
