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Damon Hill feels George Russell now faces a “troublesome situation”, as Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking pole in Miami proves he is starting to deliver what Mercedes expect.
Antonelli bagged his third consecutive Grand Prix pole position in Miami on Saturday, which the 19-year-old will now hope to convert into a third consecutive victory. The Italian turned his maiden F1 career pole into his maiden win in China, and he also did the double in Japan.
Russell had started the 2026 F1 season as the Silver Arrows’ lead driver, as he secured pole and the victory in Australia. The Briton even turned pole into the victory in the F1 Sprint in China, but he has struggled to challenge Antonelli since the Italian secured his record pole.
The vast margin between the Mercedes duo in qualifying for the Miami GP especially raised alarm bells for Hill, too. Antonelli scored pole for the Miami GP with a 1:27.798, but Russell only penned a 1:28.197 to qualify P5 behind one driver from Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren.
Four different teams in the top spots in qualifying for the Miami GP… But who’s taking the win? 🏆
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Damon Hill thinks Andrea Kimi Antonelli is putting George Russell in a ‘troublesome situation’
Antonelli had Russell’s number throughout qualifying for the Miami GP, as well. The Bologna boy boasted a 0.839s margin over the Briton at the end of Q1, having fitted new tyres late in the session, and also a 0.188s margin after Q2 when Russell also ended the phase in just P6.
READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, plus weather forecast
Russell’s emerging deficit to Antonelli after Q2 at the Miami GP was already triggering alarm bells for Hill. The 1996 champion thinks his British compatriot is now facing a “troublesome” moment, as Antonelli is starting to establish himself while Russell is having to seek answers.
Hill told BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (02/05, 21:58): “It’s starting to be a troublesome situation for George, isn’t it?
“This has now being quite a few races where Kimi’s been happy up there and George, you know, sort of a couple of times you were saying, ‘OK, we’ve had a bit of bad luck here and there’. But Kimi’s found his flow. His mojo is really, really up.”
Hill even thinks Russell will be feeling “slightly depressed” after qualifying for the Miami GP when he looks at his deficit to Antonelli during Q3. Antonelli’s third successive pole position also shows the teen is capable of delivering what Mercedes and team boss Toto Wolff want.
Antonelli is off to a legendary start in 2026 🔥 Where will he cement himself amongst the sports icons?
He joins Senna and Schumacher as the only F1 drivers to secure their first three poles consecutively
Hill added: “I have to say, I am impressed, because he has been putting in laps around this circuit and this race meeting that are exceptionally good, and marginally better than his teammate.
“I think George is going to be a slightly depressed driver this evening when he looks at what’s been going on here.
“Kimi Antonelli, this is a guy that has been invested in by the team, by Toto, and a lot of great things have been expected of him, and he is certainly delivering now.”
Wolff has long believed in Antonelli’s potential to become a Formula 1 star and chose to put his faith in the Italian when Mercedes had to replace seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025 left a massive void, but Wolff was confident in Antonelli.
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