Former Method 1 driver and broadcaster David Coulthard argued George Russell should defeat his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli on the Spanish Grand Prix with a purpose to preserve his 2026 championship goals alive.
Antonelli made historical past on Sunday, changing into the youngest-ever winner of the Monaco Grand Prix. The 19-year-old survived a chaotic race begin, a late security automobile and the race restart to efficiently convert pole place to his fifth consecutive win of the season.
In distinction, Russell, who had been second within the drivers’ championship earlier than Monaco, suffered a number of penalties and completed exterior of the factors in thirteenth. In consequence, the Briton is now third within the standings after being overtaken by Lewis Hamilton.
Talking on the Up To Pace podcast, Coulthard argued: “He wants to point out he can take a pole in Barcelona, and assuming the automobile is fast sufficient, after all, he simply must be beating Kimi.
“Let’s be trustworthy. If he doesn’t beat Kimi, it’s over. No World Championship.”
Former F1 TV presenter and co-host of the Up To Pace podcast Will Buxton added: “You possibly can say for so long as you need, ‘All I would like is the automobile. All I would like is the chance.’ Effectively, guess what? You’ve received the automobile. You’ve received the chance. And also you’re having your arse handed to you.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Erik Junius
It’s nonetheless early within the season, however because it stands after the primary six rounds, Russell sits 68 factors behind his team-mate.
Whereas the British driver gained the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese language dash race, he has not gained a race since. He encountered technical points throughout qualifying for the Chinese language Grand Prix, had his technique hampered by a security automobile on the Japanese Grand Prix and was pressured to retire from the lead of the Canadian Grand Prix with automobile points.
So it has not been all right down to a scarcity of efficiency from the 28-year-old, however as he struggles to place factors on the board, Antonelli is extending his lead because the youngest driver to steer a championship.
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