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Martin Brundle believes George Russell is facing a challenge from Kimi Antonelli that demands his attention.
Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix in impressive fashion, as he held a dominant 13-second gap to runner-up Oscar Piastri towards the end of the race in Suzuka.
George Russell, on the other hand, had to settle for fourth place, his first non-podium finish this year. Russell’s radio message showed his frustration over the situation during the race.
No Mercedes one-two in Japan!
Oscar Piastri takes second, with Charles Leclerc third
The performance in Japan has raised questions about Russell’s championship calibre, and whether he has what it takes to win it all this year.
And with Kimi Antonelli now leading the championship, Martin Brundle believes Russell must take his teammate just as seriously as he did Lewis Hamilton during his best years at Mercedes.
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Martin Brundle says Kimi Antonelli proving to be a bigger threat to George Russell than expected
Speaking on Sky Sports’ F1 show, Martin Brundle spoke about Kimi Antonelli proving to be a far bigger threat to George Russell’s championship hopes than anyone expected.
Brundle noted that Russell is showing signs of frustration over Antonelli’s success, and must start treating his young teammate just as seriously as he would Lewis Hamilton in his prime.
“I think he looked the real deal. I remember watching after China when Kimi’s dad and Toto were saying, ’Look, forget the championship crusade, because he’s got a lot to learn, and he will make mistakes. I thought that tallied exactly with what I was thinking.
“George is the favourite because there will be wet days and safety car restarts and all sorts of things where George’s experience will surely play out. But watching Kimi in qualifying, in the races, he got lucky on the safety car.”
“If I was George, I’d be more concerned after three races than I was at the beginning of the season. George did all those hard yards at Williams and spent an extra year or two there, goes to Mercedes just as they stop dominating, and has to tolerate all that.
“Now they look like they’ve got a championship car, and you’d say George has got the upper hand. And all of a sudden, he’s got to be looking across the garage and thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, this is nowhere near certain. I’ve got to beat this teenager.’ And I think he really has to.
“George is frustrated, and he’s lost his head a little bit. He had that race under control. I think he would have got past Piastri later on.
“All in all, he needs a reset on that. But he goes to Miami, nine points behind his teammate. It’s difficult times for George, and he’s gotta treat Kimi Antonelli just as if he’s Lewis Hamilton in his peak, and a threat for the championship.”
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Martin Brundle previously predicted George Russell to overcome Kimi Antonelli threat
Ahead of the season, Brundle predicted on Sky Sports that Russell had the edge over Antonelli, even with the young Italian bound to have a strong season.
“I think Kimi Antonelli, his teammate, will have a great season as well. But George has got all the confidence he needs to win races, I think, to go and win a championship if it’s available to him.”
“So I have no doubts whatsoever. They’re all world-class drivers in Formula 1. You’ve got to beat them somehow. George has got so much experience now, despite being nowhere near being 30 years old, that I don’t think anything will distract him if he’s got a championship-winning car.”
While Brundle also backed Antonelli to threaten Russell ahead of the season, neither he nor any other expert would have predicted Antonelli surpassing Russell, albeit in the first three races only.
Mercedes cannot repeat their mistakes from the Hamilton era and allow Russell and Antonelli to engage in a Hamilton vs. Rosberg-type battle this season.
It would be in their best interest to back the driver closest to the championship come the end of the season. But until then, Toto Wolff will be content to let his two drivers race each other.
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