Method 1 commentator Alex Jacques has argued that has been given a wake-up name by his younger team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Heading into the 2026 season, Russell had been pinned because the favorite for the drivers’ title by many. And whereas he nonetheless is, Antonelli has firmly put his hat within the ring after taking the lead within the standings following back-to-back wins on the Chinese language and Japanese Grands Prix.
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Whereas discussing the state of play of the championship after the opening three rounds of the season in an , Jacques argued that many had underestimated Antonelli’s 2025 efficiency.
“George is the favorite, he stays the favorite. He is acquired a variety of expertise, acquired a variety of know-how within the crew. He is been a bit of bit unfortunate,” he defined.
“I feel that everybody was ignoring how good Kimi was on the finish of final yr. His drive in Vegas was ridiculously good. Had a few disqualifications, however his race tempo to come back by way of the sector from the again. Very, excellent. Outraced George Russell in Brazil. Held off to the road. Total, within the last 5 races, he beats him 3 times.
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“Key in there for me, is George Russell has gained in Vegas. He is gained in Brazil. These are two tracks, and George nonetheless has up and down tracks of which I feel Japan is doubtlessly on the decrease finish of the George Russell efficiency of circuits, however on the finish of final yr, totally different laws set, Kimi Antonelli’s beating George Russell at circuits the place George has gained.
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
“All proper, finish of the yr, he is not a championship contender, will it proceed? It has continued, so I feel Antonelli was doubtlessly at a barely increased degree on the finish of final yr than anybody gave him credit score for, and I feel it has been a wake-up name for George Russell.
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“I feel it might but profit George’s season that Kimi has gained early, and that there is no shock run-through, and it is rather harking back to what we noticed Oscar [Piastri] do to Lando [Norris] at the beginning of final yr.”
As F1 heads to Florida for the Miami Grand Prix, Antonelli has a nine-point lead over Russell within the standings.
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