George Russell hints Mercedes ‘data’ is to blame for Kimi Antonelli taking control of F1 title fight

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George Russell will stop deep-diving into Mercedes’ data from the 2026 F1 Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, as he believes it can help solve his problems with Pirelli’s tyres.

The 28-year-old arrived in Montmelo for round seven of the season after his title hopes took another blow in the Monaco Grand Prix last Sunday. Russell only finished 12th on the streets of the Principality after getting a drive-through penalty for not serving a five-second penalty.

It has since emerged that F1 concedes the pit lane speed trap in Monaco was set incorrectly, with Alpine successfully clearing the first stage of their appeal into the two 5s penalties that denied Pierre Gasly a podium. But Russell’s penalties were not his only problems in Monaco.

Kimi Antonelli is going for his sixth straight win at the Barcelona GP. Who’s your pick for the top step of the podium?

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George Russell hints Mercedes’ data may be misleading him about Pirelli’s 2026 F1 tyres

Russell admitted that he was “bamboozled” in Monaco by Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli dominating while he struggled due to their respective driving styles. The Briton put his plight down to him not being able to get the Pirelli tyres in an ideal temperature window.

READ MORE: How to watch the 2026 F1 Barcelona Grand Prix, plus the weather forecast

Yet upon arriving at this weekend’s Barcelona-Catalunya GP, Russell admits, upon reflection, that he was a “bit too harsh” with his comments in Monaco. But the King’s Lynn native, who now trails Antonelli by 68 points, has hinted that Mercedes’ “data” might be misleading him.

Russell said, via quotes by The Race: “The tyres are quite vastly different this year due to the tyre pressures that we are being prescribed by Pirelli. These are the highest tyre pressures we’ve ever run, probably ever in Formula 1.

“But they were still there in Melbourne, China and Canada when I was performing very well. So, I’ve probably been a little bit too harsh in speaking in the moment, to be honest.

“I didn’t have a lot of confidence in Monaco with the tyres and the car, and that is a circuit where it punishes you. Having reflected on it, I’m going into this weekend with a clear head, I’m not going to get too caught up with the data and drive on my instincts.

“To be honest, last year I rarely looked at any data – I just got in and drove, and I drove fast – and it worked. So, I just need to sometimes trust in those instincts.”

Russell was one of the most consistent and strongest drivers on the F1 grid throughout the 2025 season. He easily picked up the challenge of becoming Mercedes’ team leader during Antonelli’s rookie season, but the tide has turned at the start of F1’s 2026 regulations cycle.

After thrashing Antonelli 21-3 for Grand Prix results and qualifying results, Russell currently trails the 19-year-old Italian 5-1 for race results and 4-2 in qualifying. Russell has so far only beaten Antonelli during a Grand Prix when the former won the first round back in Australia.

Reliability problems have played a part in Russell’s regression, having encountered issues in qualifying in China that helped to set up his defeat to Antonelli amid the Italian’s first win. A battery failure also forced Russell to retire while in the lead in Canada, before Antonelli won.