Jolyon Palmer warns George Russell that Kimi Antonelli can ‘twist the knife’ at Canadian GP

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Despite the Canadian Grand Prix being kind to George Russell over the years, Jolyon Palmer believes he could find himself behind Kimi Antonelli again.

The Mercedes intra-team title battle could take another twist this weekend, as Russell looks to close the gap to Antonelli in the standings.

Given how well he’s done at the track in years past, there is a feeling that Russell will be out of excuses if he loses to Antonelli in Montreal.

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Antonelli knows a blooper could hand Russell an edge in the title race this weekend, as the young Italian has yet to be tested this season.

But Jolyon Palmer believes George Russell has to worry about Kimi Antonelli overcoming the Briton’s advantage at the Canadian Grand Prix and extending his lead in the championship.

READ MORE: David Coulthard says Toto Wolff is harsher on George Russell than ‘little baby’ Kimi Antonelli

Jolyon Palmer believes Kimi Antonelli outperforming George Russell will make things ‘uncomfortable’

Speaking on Formula 1’s Weekend Warmup, Jolyon Palmer looked ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix, and what is on the line for George Russell.

He criticised Russell for not delivering under tough circumstances, which is needed in a championship battle. And if Antonelli can thrive on a track Russell favours, it could put the British driver in a difficult position in the title race.

“It’s more important to get the points when things are not going well. Maybe for Kimi, this is not one of his good tracks. But if he can win on this one, it’s even more of a message to George. When you think of George’s four races so far, Miami was, for where his pace was, not horrendous.

“But for where the car was, and the gap to Kimi was, it was quite bad to not be on the podium. But even more, I’m looking at Japan. Not getting on the podium in Japan, not getting second place when Kimi was romping clear there, that’s points squandered on his bad days.

“I feel like this has to be a good day for him to deliver, and the expectation is there. But this is then Kimi’s chance to beat him on a tougher circuit for him and really sort of twist the knife at the moment into George, and that will make his life really uncomfortable.

“And the one after this is Monaco, which is never somewhere you want to come to when you need to dig out a performance.”

READ MORE: Damon Hill warns George Russell can’t have Mercedes ‘feeling sorry’ for him amid Kimi Antonelli form

George Russell must capitalise on Canadian Grand Prix opportunity

Russell is coming into this weekend with the weight of heavy expectations. Given his history on the track and the gap between him and Antonelli in the title fight, he has to deliver a strong performance.

And with Mercedes confident in their massive upgrade package ahead of the weekend, Russell will have an edge that he desperately needs to best his young teammate.

In a way, Russell’s early-season woes are reminiscent of Lando Norris last year, which could give him some relief, given how the McLaren driver still managed to win the world championship in the end.

But for Russell, this weekend has to be considered a golden opportunity to re-establish himself as the dominant force in the championship battle with Antonelli.