George Russell has conceded that Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli has operated at a ‘higher level’ during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Russell’s comments come as Antonelli stands on the verge of securing his maiden F1 drivers’ championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Despite the shifting intra-team dynamic, Russell maintains that his relationship with Antonelli remains strong. The Briton highlighted a lack of on-track incidents as a key factor in preserving their partnership.
Antonelli requires only two points from the Mexico City Grand Prix to clinch the title, meaning a ninth-place finish or better will secure the championship. This would make him the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history.
Russell was widely considered the pre-season favourite for the 2026 title. However, Antonelli has dominated large sections of the schedule, securing nine Grand Prix victories this season.
Lando Norris, the reigning World Champion, recently stated that Antonelli has been ‘two levels above’ Russell throughout the campaign. Russell’s own assessment aligns with this view.
Russell attributed his performance struggles to specific characteristics of the 2026 regulations. He cited the energy management demands of the new power units and high rear tyre pressures as factors hindering his natural driving style.
His driving style, which focuses on early throttle application from the middle to exit of corners, is less efficient with the current power units. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged the car’s characteristics do not suit Russell.
The Mexico City Grand Prix grid sees Lewis Hamilton on pole for Ferrari. George Russell starts second, alongside Hamilton on the front row.
Charles Leclerc lines up third for Ferrari, with Kimi Antonelli starting fourth. Antonelli was promoted after Max Verstappen received a one-place grid penalty.
Verstappen starts fifth for Red Bull following a collision with Liam Lawson during Friday practice. Lando Norris begins the race from sixth position.
Liam Lawson was disqualified from qualifying due to an MGU-K infringement and will start from the back of the grid. Valtteri Bottas also incurred a 50-place grid penalty for power unit component changes.
Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 365 points, 123 points ahead of Russell, who has 242. Lewis Hamilton is third with 241 points.
Only Russell and Hamilton remain mathematically in contention for the drivers’ title against Antonelli. Russell has secured three victories this season, compared to Antonelli’s nine.
Antonelli, in his second F1 season, has already set several records. He became the youngest polesitter in China and the youngest World Drivers’ Championship leader in Japan.
The Mercedes W17, designed under the new 2026 regulations, features a lighter, narrower chassis and a hybrid power unit with a near 50:50 split between electric and combustion power.
Mercedes has been a leading contender this season, with the W17 proving to be a strong all-round package. Russell aims to improve his consistency in the remaining races.
