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Juan Pablo Montoya claims “everyone” is telling him that George Russell will hit back against Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s threat in the F1 title fight at the Canadian Grand Prix.
F1 goes to Montreal next time out with Russell facing a 20-point deficit to Antonelli atop the drivers’ standings after the first four rounds. Antonelli has enjoyed an historic run of form of late, to flip the script at Mercedes after Russell’s superior start to the 2026 regulations cycle.
Russell started the year by converting pole position into the win at the Australian Grand Prix and in the F1 Sprint in Shanghai. But Antonelli has since become the first driver in history to consecutively clinch their first three wins from their debut poles in China, Japan and Miami.
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Juan Pablo Montoya says ‘everyone’ expects George Russell to beat Andrea Kimi Antonelli in Canada
Bernie Ecclestone is already ruling Russell out of the 2026 F1 title race, too, after seeing how Antonelli has taken control at Mercedes. Mental coach Riccardo Ceccarelli has even accused Russell of “showing signs of nervousness” by trying to put the blame on Mercedes in Miami.
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Many eyes will now be fixed on Russell at the Canadian GP on May 22-24 to see how he can respond at a circuit that he has performed well at in recent years. And Montoya suggests he is constantly being told that Russell will guide Mercedes’ efforts in Montreal next weekend.
“Mercedes, well, George is doing well in Canada. Everyone’s telling me that,” Montoya told AS. “George is doing well in Canada, and he’s always done well, just like at Silverstone. And it’s George’s turn, I think.
“It’s going to be interesting because, at some point, George is going to stop Kimi, and it’ll be interesting to see how Kimi reacts when he’s behind George. I find that whole dynamic really interesting.”
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Mercedes are set to debut a major upgrade package in Canada, having opted against taking the bulk of their updates to Miami like most of their rivals. The Silver Arrows are said to feel they can unlock 0.3 seconds per lap with aero updates, including a new front wing and floor.
A lighter gearbox is even in store to reduce the weight of the W17, along with new software to improve Russell and especially Antonelli’s frequently poor race starts. Russell will hope to adapt quickly to Mercedes’ upgrades and continue his recent streak of success in Montreal.
Russell has secured pole position for the past two runnings of the Canadian GP and won the Grand Prix last year. But Antonelli also performed well on his first visit to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in 2025, as the Italian recorded his first F1 Grand Prix podium with P3 in Canada.
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