Components 1 commentator Alex Jacques has argued that George Russell has been given a wake-up name by his younger Mercedes 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.
Whereas discussing the state of play of the championship after the opening three rounds of the season in an F1 season-start debrief video, Jacques argued that many had underestimated Antonelli’s 2025 efficiency.
“George is the favorite, he stays the favorite. He is acquired loads of expertise, acquired loads of know-how within the workforce. He is been somewhat bit unfortunate,” he defined.
“I believe that everybody was ignoring how good Kimi was on the finish of final 12 months. His drive in Vegas was ridiculously good. Had a few McLaren disqualifications, however his race tempo to return by means of the sphere from the again. Very, excellent. Outraced George Russell in Brazil. Held off Max Verstappen to the road. General, within the remaining 5 races, he beats him 3 times.
“Key in there for me, is George Russell has received in Vegas. He is received in Brazil. These are two tracks, and George nonetheless has up and down tracks of which I believe Japan is doubtlessly on the decrease finish of the George Russell efficiency of circuits, however on the finish of final 12 months, completely different rules set, Kimi Antonelli’s beating George Russell at circuits the place George has received.
George Russell, Mercedes
Photograph by: Artur Widak / NurPhoto through Getty Photos
“All proper, finish of the 12 months, he is not a championship contender, will it proceed? It has continued, so I believe Antonelli was doubtlessly at a barely larger degree on the finish of final 12 months than anybody gave him credit score for, and I believe it has been a wake-up name for George Russell.
“I believe it may but profit George’s season that Kimi has received early, and that there is no shock run-through, and it is rather paying homage to what we noticed Oscar [Piastri] do to Lando [Norris] at first of final 12 months.”
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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