1997 Formulation 1 champion believes George Russell’s “smoother” driving model provides him an higher hand over his team-mate Kimi Antonelli on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Because the grid prepares for the seventh spherical of the 2026 season, the intra-team dynamic at Mercedes continues to be beneath scrutiny from followers and the media. Whereas Russell was a transparent favorite heading into the season, Antonelli has shocked many with 5 consecutive wins in China, Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco.
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Talking to Sky Sports activities F1 after the third and remaining observe session in Barcelona, Villeneuve supplied a technical breakdown to clarify why the Spanish venue performs to Russell’s strengths.
“He will likely be joyful however I feel he knew coming right here that this observe would swimsuit his driving model a little bit bit higher than his team-mate,” the previous F1 driver stated.
“So he is profiting from it and pushing. However the observe is slippery, and if you do not have the right set-up, you may’t drive round it. It is very tough and it is advisable be exact.”
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He added: “Antonelli’s driving model fits stop-and-go tracks.
“He goes very deep into the nook, turns in early, pivots early the automobile and will get on the gasoline, the electrical a part of the engine pulls him out and he runs a super-soft rear finish. That usually means plenty of understeer and that does not work on this observe.
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
“This observe may be very understeery however, on the similar time, the rear snaps. Russell has a smoother driving model and it really works right here.”
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Up to now this weekend, Russell topped the timesheets within the first and third observe periods, whereas he put within the second-fastest time within the second observe session.
Previous to the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Antonelli leads the drivers’ championship by 66 factors over seven-time champion in second. Russell slipped to 3rd within the standings after the Monaco Grand Prix and now sits two factors behind his former team-mate.
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will happen at 3pm native time (2pm UK time) on Sunday 14 June.
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