George Russell insists he 'has an answer' to Kimi Antonelli's pace amid his Mercedes team-mate's dominance in title battle

10.09.2026, 21:13 skysports.com

George Russell insists he does "have an answer" to Kimi Antonelli's pace but admits he will need good fortune to catch his Mercedes team-mate at the top of the Drivers' Championship.

​​​​​​Russell suffered a demoralising blow to his already faint title hopes at last weekend's Italian Grand Prix when he was beaten to victory by Antonelli despite the 20-year-old having started from 19th on the grid after receiving a penalty for exceeding his engine-part allowance.

The result saw Russell, who had started second in Monza, fall 66 points behind Antonelli with 10 rounds remaining, starting with this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

Russell started the season as the clear title favourite but has won just two grands prix compared to Antonelli's seven, with the Italian being consistently quicker, especially in terms of race pace.

Asked about finding himself in situation where he doesn't have an answer to Antonelli's speed, Russell replied: "I do have an answer and I'm working on it, and it's been much improved.

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"I'm very pleased with that sort of step I've taken because fundamentally changing the driving style is achievable for a lot of drivers, but then actually being fast with it is another topic."

Having reached a low point ahead of F1's summer break, Russell delivered solid weekends in the Netherlands and Italy, but was still unable to beat Antonelli on a Sunday.

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"I feel my performance since the summer break has been... I've qualified ahead of him in the three qualifying sessions and my race pace has been on a par with him in these two races. And I couldn't say that pre-break. I'm definitely very pleased with that progression.

"We'll have to see where the rest of the season takes us."

Russell has repeatedly insisted his focus is on improving his own performances rather than thinking about catching Antonelli, but ahead of F1's return to Madrid he admitted luck will be required if he is to claim his maiden drivers' title this year.

In addition to his deficit, Russell will also have to take a grid penalty for taking new engine parts between now and the end of the season, which will see him start a race from the back of the field.

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On his prospects of winning the title, Russell said: "I'm not trying to be delusional. The reality is my team-mate's done a better job than me this year.

"I've had some bad luck but he deserves to be leading and right now he deserves to be in the position he is.

"From my side, I'm just going race by race. I'm going to try and win as many as possible.

"If I want to win this championship, I'm going to need some luck and that's where we are. I'm sort of being quite realistic about the position we're in."

Antonelli's victory on a weekend where his rivals were expected to make ground on him has further cemented his status as an overwhelming favourite to close out the championship.

Behind Russell, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton dropped 76 points behind Antonelli, while McLaren's Lando Norris trails by 96 points in fourth.

Despite the strength of his position, Antonelli claims it's "still early" to be thinking about the championship.

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He said: "I don't even know how many races are left. Ten? So, it's still a long way to go. It's still early.

"And I don't really want to drive thinking about championship. Monza was the proof that I wasn't driving thinking about or worrying about championship.

"I was just driving to win; to do my best and so that's the mindset.

"Of course, there might be occasions in the future where before taking a certain decision, I might think about the championship.

"But the thing I want to avoid is going on track for a free practice or a qualifying - or even a race - thinking about or worrying about the championship. That's the thing I want to avoid at all costs."

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Friday September 118.50am: F3 Practice10am: F2 Practice12pm: Spanish Grand Prix Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)12.55pm: F2 Qualifying2.40pm: Team Bosses' Press Conference3.45pm: Spanish Grand Prix Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)5.20pm: F3 Qualifying6.20pm: The F1 Show

Saturday September 1210am: F3 Sprint11am: Spanish Grand Prix Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint2.15pm: Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying build-up3pm: SPANISH GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*4.55pm: F3 Feature Race 16pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook

Sunday September 138.40am: F3 Feature Race 210.20am: F2 Feature Race12.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Spanish GP build-up2pm: THE SPANISH GRAND PRIX4pm: Chequered Flag: Spanish GP reaction5pm: Ted's Notebook

*also on Sky Sports Main Event

Formula 1 is in Madrid for the Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit with Sunday's race at 2pm (build-up from 12.30pm), live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime