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Toto Wolff warns Kimi Antonelli that George Russell is a ‘killer’ despite growing championship lead

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Toto Wolff believes Kimi Antonelli cannot grow complacent in his battle against George Russell this season.

Antonelli earned his third straight win at the Miami Grand Prix, becoming the first driver to win his first three races from pole position consecutively.

As for his teammate, George Russell, it wasn’t as good a weekend, as he had to settle for P4 after a thrilling conclusion to the race.

Kimi Antonelli makes it three wins in a row at Miami! Has he proven he is the championship favourite? 🏆

Kimi Antonelli wins the 2026Miami Grand Prix
Photo credit: Mercedes-Benz Group AG

There is concern that Antonelli’s success will affect Russell going forward, as the experienced driver has lost the form he had shown at the start of the season.

But Mercedes are not ready to throw in the towel for Russell just yet, with Toto Wolff warning Kimi Antonelli that his veteran teammate isn’t to be underestimated.

READ MORE: Jolyon Palmer thinks Kimi Antonelli’s Miami GP data shows Mercedes copied McLaren’s deployment trick

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team drivers #63 George Russell (GBR) and #12 Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) attend the post-race press conference at the 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix, round 3 of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, at Suzuka Circuit in Suzuka, Japan, on March 28, 2026.
Photo by Wan Mikhail Roslan/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Toto Wolff claims George Russell will leave ‘no stone unturned’ in potential title fight against Kimi Antonelli

Speaking to Sky Sports after the Miami Grand Prix, Toto Wolff heaped praise on George Russell as analysts asked him whether the driver was falling too far behind Kimi Antonelli.

Wolff reminded the analysts and Antonelli about Russell’s pedigree, and cautioned anyone from ruling out the British driver so easily.

“George is a killer. What makes him so good is that he never stops fighting and never stops attacking. I’ve seen him throughout his career…

“He’s going for this. He’s going to leave no stone unturned. You have no doubt that the two of them are going to fight for points throughout the season.”

While Russell isn’t going to be counted out just yet, Wolff seemed to suggest that he didn’t expect the Mercedes driver to do well this weekend.

READ MORE: Juan Pablo Montoya questions if George Russell can ‘recover’ if Kimi Antonelli wins Miami Grand Prix

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Kimi Antonelli celebrates after winning the Sprint at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix
Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Toto Wolff accepted Miami is a ‘boogie track’ for George Russell

Speaking further in the interview, Wolff explained why Russell’s struggles during the weekend came as no surprise to him and Mercedes.

“George is so experienced by now. Throughout the weekend, we talked about how this is a bit of a boogie track for him.

“That is absolutely understood. I think there’s nothing that’s going to be in the back of our heads when we go to Montreal.”

There may be concerns that Russell has given up on fighting Antonelli already, given the growing gap between the two.

But with 18 races left in the season, the veteran driver could easily close the gap on his young teammate and go on to win it all.