‘Spiralling’ George Russell accused of blaming Mercedes for his early-season ‘crisis’

Follow us on Google Discover

George Russell has been accused of trying to blame Mercedes for his early “crisis”, as it looks like he is struggling with Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s momentum in the title fight.

Many had predicted prior to the 2026 F1 season that Russell would be the clear favourite to win the drivers’ title, as Mercedes were also widely expected to ace the new engine rules. A strong start to the year did little to quell those beliefs, too, but Russell has fallen away since.

Russell kicked off the campaign by winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position and the Sprint in Shanghai from pole. Yet the momentum at Mercedes moved across the garage during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, and Russell has to date struggled to strike back.

Antonelli took his debut F1 pole and Grand Prix win in China, backed it up with another pole and win in Japan and did the double again in Miami last week. The 19-year-old now boasts a 20-point lead over Russell atop the F1 drivers’ standings – with 100 and 80 in their accounts.

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

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

George Russell is ‘showing signs of nervousness’ amid Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s title charge

Russell admitted that Miami is not his favourite circuit, as he struggles with the lower grip on offer at Hard Rock Stadium. But Riccardo Ceccarelli believes Russell’s radio messages at the Miami Grand Prix suggested he is getting nervous about Antonelli’s rise amid their title fight.

READ MORE: The best moments of George Russell’s career in Formula 1

Speaking over Mercedes’ team radio when the chequered flag fell in Florida, Russell claimed Antonelli’s gains in Miami were “weird” after he changed some of his settings to match what the Italian used. Ceccarelli feels Russell’s remarks hinted at a “crisis” of nerves for the Briton.

Mental coach Ceccarelli told Motorsport.com: “Russell is having a bit of a crisis and showing signs of nervousness, which he’s transmitting via some team radio that’s a bit negative.

“And perhaps he’s also placing blame on external factors – [like] the team or poor strategies. Antonelli’s strength is his calmness, as if he never expends too much energy, while George is spiralling and starting to suffer from the gap.”

Russell refutes suggestions that he underestimated Antonelli emerging as a true title rival in 2026, given that his Mercedes teammate had enjoyed a stellar junior career. The 28-year-old also affirmed that he is still confident in himself, despite a disappointing weekend in Miami.

Antonelli out-qualified and finished in front of Russell for the F1 Sprint and the Grand Prix in Miami last weekend. The Italian was even 0.402s quicker during Sprint Qualifying and 0.399s faster in qualifying for the Miami GP, for which Russell only secured P5 as Antonelli got pole.

Despite Russell’s eight years on the grid compared to Antonelli’s two, the latter has also now surpassed the former’s career-best streak for Grand Prix podiums. Antonelli’s three wins in a row eclipse Russell’s best run so far of securing two rostrums in a row at best just four times.