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George Russell Reveals High Hopes for Kimi Antonelli’s Second F1 Season
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Highlights
- Russell and Antonelli to remain Mercedes teammates in 2026 season
- Antonelli showed early speed but struggled with consistency in 2025
- Mercedes retains Antonelli, confident in his potential for improvement
- 2026 brings major car regulation changes requiring new driving styles
- Russell focuses on performance regardless of teammate’s pace differences
- Mercedes currently third in 2025 Constructors’ Championship with 355 points
George Russell sets expectations for Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli as the pair continues into 2026, with the team backing the rookie despite an uneven debut season.
Antonelli starts 2025 strongly, showing pace and composure. Consistency fades through Europe, denting confidence and exposing the steep learning curve at the front of the grid.
Mercedes retains him alongside Russell, underlining belief in his upside. Russell highlights Antonelli’s “signs of great speed” and expects progress with mileage and experience.
Russell frames inconsistency as typical for rookies. He expects Antonelli’s stronger peaks to appear more frequently in year two, provided confidence stabilizes.
The 2026 rules overhaul resets car characteristics and demands new techniques. Early adaptability and disciplined feedback loops will decide who lands competitive foundations.
2026 regulations will demand a new driving style and reward teams that adapt quickly.
Russell keeps a consistent approach regardless of intra-team gaps. His focus remains execution, setup direction, and delivering points rather than the optics of the head-to-head.
“If my teammate is on my pace, or two-tenths behind or four-tenths behind, it doesn’t change how I approach my business.” — George Russell
Mercedes sits third in the 2025 standings on 355 points, with Russell contributing 258. McLaren leads on 713, with Ferrari second and Red Bull fourth.
The remaining rounds in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi keep the fight for positions live, balancing 2025 points with 2026 learning.
Mercedes retains Antonelli for 2026 despite rookie inconsistency, betting on consolidation and a stronger second season.
Antonelli’s development is pivotal to closing the gap. Russell provides stability and direction, while the rookie’s growth could unlock higher consistent scoring.
Both drivers face an exacting transition. Mercedes aims to turn a steady base into sharper competitiveness as the new era begins.
Visual Summary
Antonelli’s Ascent → Mercedes’ Summit
Russell Points
258
258
Mercedes Total
355
355
McLaren Leads
713
713
Russell expects Antonelli’s flashes of speed to become the norm in 2026,
as Mercedes faces
new technical challenges and the climb toward championship glory.
“If my teammate is on my pace, or two-tenths behind or four-tenths behind, it doesn’t change how I approach my business.”
🇲🇽Mexico
→
🇧🇷Brazil
→
🎲Vegas
→
🇶🇦Qatar
→
🇦🇪Abu Dhabi
Eyes on Antonelli’s climb: 2026 is his summit to reach.
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
