George Russell now looks ‘broken’ and lacking the ‘fire’ Kimi Antonelli has, claims Tom Coronel

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George Russell has been told that he is currently lacking the ‘drive’ and ‘fire’ that Kimi Antonelli has amid the pair’s Formula 1 world title fight.

On Sunday, Antonelli produced yet another statement of intent as he won the Miami Grand Prix ahead of McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

Meanwhile, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate and title rival Russell finished in fourth place after enduring a difficult weekend around the Miami International Autodrome.

Ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, which will take place towards the end of the month, Russell finds himself 20 points behind Antonelli, with a need to step up his game if he wants to win the world championship.

Here’s how the championship standings look after the Miami GP! 🏆

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Tom Coronel claims George Russell looks ‘broken’ and lacking ‘fire’

Speaking recently on the RacingNews365 podcast, Dutch racing driver Tom Coronel claimed that Antonelli currently has more ‘drive’ and ‘fire’ than Russell.

The Dutchman also claimed that Antonelli’s recent results are now starting to ‘bother’ Russell.

Coronel said: “I’m going to tell you that Antonelli, I see that drive in his eyes. I see that he really spends hours in the sim, he says so too. He says, ‘I want to work, I want to go for it and this and that.’ I don’t hear that from Russell.

“I think that Russell says that maybe things will work out in Canada, but no, I think that Antonelli has received so much warmth from the team, you thrive in a loving home and at some point, you will take flight as a racing driver.

“As we just mentioned, in the beginning, it was a bit, well, one shot, two shot, but it is starting to become a trend now, everything is under pressure. He is only doing good things at the moment.

“You have to have that drive and that fire, you see it in Antonelli, and I don’t see it in Russell. Your question is, is he broken? Yes, he is broken. Very simple. Is it bothering Russell? Yes. Has he had a breakdown? Yes. Is Antonelli going to win this battle for now? Yes.”

Did Mercedes damage their relationship with George Russell by only giving him a one-year deal?

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READ MORE: James Hinchcliffe says George Russell can no longer use ‘the book of driver excuses’ at Mercedes

George Russell issues defiant message after dismal Miami Grand Prix

Having come out second best against his Mercedes teammate again, Russell was clear that he has not ‘forgotten how to drive’.

The Brit, who claimed that Miami is one of his least favourite tracks, is hoping things will turn back towards his favour in Montreal.

As per Sky Sports, Russell said: “I’ve still got confidence in myself and have also been there. I’ve not forgotten how to drive.

“It’s just a little bit of a tricky run but we are four races down, a long way to go and I think, we will reassess things over the next few weeks. Not a good weekend. I know this place is a real tough one for me. The real test will come at the next few.”