Daily News 19

Tag: George Russell

  • Lewis Hamilton Unhappy with Ferrari Execution in Monza F1 Qualifying

    Lewis Hamilton Unhappy with Ferrari Execution in Monza F1 Qualifying

    Hamilton Voices Frustration Over Ferrari Qualifying Execution at Monza

    Lewis Hamilton offered pointed criticism of Ferrari’s qualifying operation after a disjointed session at the Italian Grand Prix left him fifth on the grid, 0.225 seconds behind surprise polesitter Pierre Gasly. The seven-time champion navigated a stressful Saturday, scraping into Q2 by a mere 0.001 seconds after an eighth-place showing in Q1, before failing to convert the team’s strategic plan in the final shootout.

    Missed Tow and Tire Preparation Issues Cost Hamilton

    Ferrari’s pre-agreed qualifying rotation gave Hamilton the choice of track position relative to team-mate Charles Leclerc. Opting to run second to leverage a slipstream from the Monegasque at the high-speed Temple of Speed, Hamilton saw the plan unravel on his first Q3 run when his tires were not ready in time to catch Leclerc’s tow. He ultimately finished the session 0.007 seconds slower than his team-mate on the second attempt.

    When asked about the importance of team-mate cooperation around Monza, Hamilton paused before delivering a measured critique of the squad’s coordination.

    “What I can say is, Pierre did a great job. Clearly, looking from a distance, it looked like they worked really well as a team.”

    He expanded on the internal dynamic, acknowledging the team’s intent while highlighting the execution failure.

    “The team was solely focused on trying to get an equal tow for each driver. And, as I said, we just stumbled.”

    Grid Penalty Promotes Ferraris to Second Row

    A three-place grid penalty for Oscar Piastri, imposed for impeding Liam Lawson, elevates both Ferraris to the second row for Sunday’s race. While the improved starting position offers a platform, Hamilton remains realistic about the competitive hierarchy, identifying George Russell and Mercedes as the benchmark.

    “That puts us in fighting chance, hopefully, with George [Russell]. That’s one Mercedes up front, so hopefully that gives us a chance,”

    he stated, adding a candid assessment of the straight-line deficit.

    “George has the fastest car, that’s clear. Particularly if you see his Mercedes. We’re lacking on straights still, and that’s just the way it is.”

    Title Hopes Fading as Points Gap Widens

    As the season progresses, Hamilton’s championship aspirations are diminishing. He currently trails the championship leader by 59 points—a gap he described with striking candor.

    “There’s light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s getting dimmer the further we get through,” he deplored. “And even though the team’s doing an amazing job in bringing upgrades and pushing us forward – I’m so proud of everyone, I say it all the time, but it’s because I really am – also at the track, we need to come correct and act accordingly to make sure we get the result we need.”

    The comments underscore a growing tension between the development trajectory of the SF-24 and the operational precision required to maximize its potential on race weekends.

  • Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Claims Shock Maiden Pole at Monza, Beating George Russell After Pre-Session Chess Match

    Pierre Gasly delivered one of the most stunning moments of the Formula 1 season on Saturday at Monza, securing a shock pole position at the very circuit where he claimed his sole grand prix victory back in 2020. The French driver edged out pre-session favorite George Russell by a mere 0.060 seconds in the closing minutes of qualifying, earning the first pole position of his nine-year F1 career.

    Chess Rivalry Adds Narrative Twist to Qualifying Battle

    The on-track duel carried an intriguing subplot: the pair had just finished an online chess game minutes before the session began. Russell revealed the lighthearted rivalry during the post-qualifying press conference.

    “Massive congrats to Pierre because that’s an incredible performance,” Russell said at the post-qualifying press conference. “We were actually finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there, and I thought, ‘Well, I think I’ll beat you in qualifying,’ and here we are, he’s ahead of me again.



    “So, yeah, huge congrats to him. Of course, I was disappointed not to get the pole position.”

    Drivers Discover Shared Chess Obsession

    Gasly explained that the two drivers only discovered their mutual passion for chess during Friday’s drivers’ briefing. They quickly exchanged profiles on Chess.com and played multiple games leading up to qualifying.

    “Well, I mean, since the [drivers’] briefing last night, I figured out that he’s obsessed with chess,” Gasly said. “I am obsessed with chess. We have a few in the paddock, a few drivers, to be obsessed with it. So, we’ve just exchanged our IDs on Chess.com and we’ve had a little game going on, one yesterday, another one that carried on to today.”

    Gasly entered qualifying with confidence boosted by his chess performance, though his performance coach Ben Thorne offered a prescient warning.

    “And I must say, before the quali, I felt pretty confident because I was picking piece after piece. And, yeah, again, for the fun story, Ben [Thorne, performance coach] told me, ‘Well, you’re getting George here, but he’s going to get you in a few minutes.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, fuck off.’



    “Turned out that, yeah, it worked out well. So, yeah, it’s been fun. I think we are very competitive and, whether it’s on the track or off the track, we do need to find our little battles everywhere we can.”

    Chess Growing Popularity in F1 Paddock

    The chess rivalry between Gasly and Russell reflects a broader trend in the Formula 1 paddock. Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are known to regularly play against each other, while Carlos Sainz is also recognized as a keen player.

    Pierre Gasly with his performance coach Ben Thorne. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Gasly’s pole position at Monza marks a significant career milestone and sets up a fascinating Italian Grand Prix, with the Alpine driver starting from the front of the grid at a circuit that holds special memories from his 2020 victory with AlphaTauri.

  • Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    Toto Wolff Says Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 F1 Progress Is One of the Biggest Surprises of His Career

    When Toto Wolff met with the Dutch press at Zandvoort a year ago, Kimi Antonelli was enduring the difficult stretch that defined much of his European Formula 1 rookie season. The young Italian had shown flashes of brilliance in Miami and Canada, but those performances were followed by several challenging race weekends.

    At the time, Wolff described Antonelli’s first season in straightforward terms:

    “Sometimes there are brilliant moments that leave our mouths open, and sometimes we are pulling our hair out. But that is all in line with expectations.”

    Many paddock observers expected Antonelli’s 2026 campaign to follow a similar pattern. Instead, the Mercedes driver has combined his natural speed with a major improvement in consistency.

    Antonelli has finished on the podium at every grand prix so far except Barcelona and Silverstone. He also leads the Formula 1 championship by 59 points over Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

    Asked by Motorsport.com whether Antonelli’s progress ranked among the biggest surprises of his long career, Wolff gave a clear answer.

    “Definitely,” he said.

    However, Wolff said Hamilton and Max Verstappen had already warned him last year that Antonelli possessed the potential to make such a breakthrough.

    “I think the great ones, they know,” Wolff explained. “You say it needs one to know one. And I think that when you listen to Lewis or to Max last year, they already said that he has the potential.
    “And that’s what we felt in the team too, looking at his previous records in karting and the junior formulas.
    “Nevertheless, to come out after the winter and just nailing it pretty much every single race is one of the big surprises in my professional racing career.”

    From ‘parachuted into F1’ to no longer being a ‘deer in the headlights’

    Wolff believes Antonelli’s rapid development is the result of more than technical factors. Although the 2026 car may suit his driving style better than the previous ground-effect machinery, Wolff also pointed to the driver’s personal development and ability to process information.

    “When I analyse it and ask myself what are the reasons that he had such a good reputation in the junior formulas and karting, I think it’s his processing power.
    “I think he just needed the winter to process it. Why was it good? Why was it bad? What do I need to do?”

    Wolff also credited the greater stability within Mercedes. Antonelli entered the new season in a familiar environment, with less uncertainty surrounding the travel, accommodation, team procedures and circuits.

    “And then to come into an environment that he already knew. He knew that flying to Melbourne would look that way. He knew the hotel. He knew the set-up. He comes to the track, and everything is as last year.
    “And that means that it just comes down to driving and preparation, rather than being a deer in front of the headlights, like in 2025, thinking what’s happening? But yeah, it’s still one of the very nice surprises.”

    The same factors help explain Antonelli’s inconsistent 2025 rookie season, Wolff said. The combination of established technical regulations, limited experience and intense external pressure created a difficult introduction to Formula 1.

    “What happened to Kimi last year is just what we predicted,” Wolff added.
    “You’re being parachuted into Formula 1. He was 18 under a set of regulations that was very mature. Most of the drivers were racing those cars for a long time and Kimi didn’t know some of the circuits.
    “And then there was this avalanche of media requests and pressure. Suddenly everyone who was part of your journey felt they needed to be with you or close to you. The demands were enormous.”

    Kimi Antonelli’s 2025 struggles were “what we predicted”, the Mercedes boss said.

    The 54-year-old Austrian said he faced widespread criticism for placing Antonelli in a Mercedes seat so early in his career. Wolff compared the decision with Helmut Marko’s choice to give Max Verstappen an early Formula 1 opportunity at Red Bull, saying both men had seen enough talent to justify taking the risk.

    “Everyone and their dog said to me that it was too early, that I shouldn’t have put him into Mercedes and that I should have done a smaller team.
    “Spa was probably one of the worst moments, but for me, I stood strong with him because I felt that it was exactly the year we needed,” Wolff said.
    “We’re only making the assessment after the second year. And the way he’s come out of the blocks this year is a surprise to everyone, and yes, to me as well.”

    Beyond Antonelli’s speed and performance on track, Wolff said the driver’s enthusiasm is now having a positive effect across the Mercedes team.

    “He is authentic, very open-minded, not political at all. He completely lacks that negative kind of thing. For him, it’s just all about performance on the track.
    “And he’s made all the English mechanics hug each other now, which is also new for us!”

  • Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Kimi Antonelli Reveals How He Is Staying Grounded in the 2026 F1 Title Fight

    Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli has revealed how he is staying grounded while competing for the 2026 world title.

    In just his second F1 season, Antonelli became the youngest driver to lead the championship standings after consecutive victories in China and Japan. He added four more Grand Prix wins before the summer break, putting the 20-year-old Italian at the centre of the title battle early in his career.

    Antonelli currently leads his Mercedes team-mate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton by 59 points.

    Antonelli remains focused in F1 title fight

    During the summer break, Antonelli said he and his family celebrated his achievements without allowing the championship lead to dominate their lives.

    “We watched some of the races on TV while eating dinner. We still talked about F1, but it was in a nice way, just reminding us what we achieved,” Antonelli told F1.com about his summer break.

    The Mercedes driver said maintaining perspective would be crucial as the season progresses.

    “You need to be happy about it, but at the same time not get carried away from it and still maintain focus. The job is not done yet. We’re only halfway through and there is still so much that needs to happen and so much to be achieved.”

    Tennis star Roger Federer attends the Pirelli Hot Laps event. Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

    Roger Federer advice helps Antonelli relax

    Antonelli also discussed advice from tennis great Roger Federer, who encouraged him to “always be yourself and be able to enjoy it as well”. The Formula 1 driver said that guidance had helped him adopt a more relaxed approach behind the wheel.

    “When you understand that you also have to enjoy it as well, it makes the difference, because it helps you to, I feel like at least in my case, drive more relaxed, enjoy the driving more, feel more the car, and then the performance just comes much easier,” Antonelli continued.

    He contrasted that mindset with the pressure of forcing performance and explained how finding positives in difficult moments can support his development.

    “Instead of when you’re chasing it, and you’re driving tense, it’s a big difference. But of course, trying to be yourself and always focusing on the goal and always also try to see the positive, even in the bad situations. Even when something goes bad, there’s always a positive. That can be found, and that can help you to grow.”

  • George Russell “has to win” Italian GP to Keep F1 Title Hopes Alive, Says Former Driver

    George Russell “has to win” Italian GP to Keep F1 Title Hopes Alive, Says Former Driver

    George Russell must win the Italian Grand Prix to keep his Formula 1 championship hopes alive, former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has warned.

    Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer assessed the title battle after a dramatic Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. McLaren’s Lando Norris won in dominant fashion, finishing ahead of Mercedes teammates Kimi Antonelli and Russell.

    Antonelli is set to receive an engine penalty at his home race in Monza, creating an opportunity for Russell to reduce the gap in the championship standings. However, Palmer believes a strong result for Antonelli could put the title beyond Russell’s reach.

    “He could win it because the way that he’s been driving, I think Mercedes are the sure-fire favourites for Monza still,” Palmer said of Antonelli. “But when you reference Max’s comeback wins, that’s largely against Checo, isn’t it? Who was a lot further away from Max’s pace than George is of Kimi’s. And George was better in Zandvoort.

    “I know he still didn’t put the race together. He had two bad first laps that set him apart. And his race pace wasn’t quite as good as Kimi’s either. But I don’t think in a clean race Kimi will come from 10th or 11th to beat George if George is anywhere near form from pole position.

    Palmer expects strategy, safety cars, engine performance and reliability to play important roles at Monza, where Russell will need to capitalize on any advantage created by Antonelli’s grid penalty.

    “With strategy differences, safety car involvements, it’s going to be tough on components across the board. Power units are going to be singing. Reliability’s not going to be easy at Monza.

    “If Kimi wins in Monza with a grid penalty, he is champion. I’ll go as far as saying that. It’ll be such a crushing blow. He will have won his home race with a load of overtaking, huge aplomb, and it will suck the life out of George to not take points out of him in Monza. George has to win this.”

    Antonelli currently leads the Formula 1 standings with 242 points. Russell is second on 183 points, level with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

  • F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: How Long Is Each Driver Signed For?

    F1 Driver Contracts: When Each Formula 1 Deal Expires

    Details of Formula 1 driver contracts are closely guarded, although the length of many deals is eventually made public. Here is how long each current F1 driver contract is believed to run, along with the potential moves that could shape the grid in the coming seasons.

    McLaren

    Lando Norris — 2030

    The reigning F1 world champion recently announced a new four-year contract with McLaren, keeping him at the team until at least 2030. The agreement is also believed to include clauses that could extend the deal beyond that point.

    Norris joined McLaren as a junior driver in 2017 before stepping up to its F1 team in 2019. He became world champion in 2025.

    Oscar Piastri — 2028

    Oscar Piastri signed a new McLaren contract at the start of 2025, tying him to the team until the end of 2028.

    The Australian made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2023 after a hearing before the FIA Contract Recognition Board settled a dispute between Alpine and McLaren.

    Mercedes

    George Russell — 2027

    Despite Mercedes’ previous pursuit of Max Verstappen, George Russell remains confident in his place at the team. The British driver is contracted through the end of the 2027 season.

    Russell joined Mercedes in 2022 after three seasons effectively on loan at Williams, where he made his F1 debut in 2019.

    Kimi Antonelli — 2027

    Kimi Antonelli is also believed to have a Mercedes contract running until the end of 2027.

    The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes’ driver line-up after Hamilton left for Ferrari in 2025.

    Red Bull

    Max Verstappen — 2030

    Max Verstappen and Red Bull announced a new contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The agreement runs until at least the end of 2030.

    Verstappen became a Red Bull junior in 2014 and made his F1 debut with sister team Toro Rosso in 2015 at the age of 17. He was promoted to the Red Bull team midway through the 2016 season.

    Isack Hadjar — 2026

    Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull contract is set to expire at the end of 2026 after he joined the senior team from Racing Bulls the previous winter.

    The French driver made his F1 debut with Racing Bulls in 2025 and immediately impressed, highlighted by a podium at the Dutch Grand Prix. His performances led to a rapid promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

    Ferrari

    Lewis Hamilton — 2027

    Ferrari has often declined to reveal the precise length of its drivers’ contracts, but all parties have confirmed that Lewis Hamilton’s deal runs until at least 2027. With contract clauses taken into account, he signed a three-year agreement when he joined in 2025.

    Hamilton made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007 and won his first world title in 2008. He moved to Mercedes in 2013 and won a further six world championships during his 12 years with the German manufacturer.

    Charles Leclerc — 2028

    Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had agreed to a new contract on the eve of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, saying he would remain with the Maranello team “for the coming seasons”. The deal is believed to keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2028, with an option for additional years.

    Leclerc was a Ferrari junior and made his F1 debut on loan at Sauber in 2018. He joined Ferrari’s driver line-up in 2019 and has remained a permanent fixture ever since.

    Williams

    Alex Albon — 2027

    Alex Albon signed a contract extension with Williams ahead of the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix, keeping him at the team until the end of 2027.

    The Anglo-Thai driver made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso in 2019 before switching to Red Bull midway through the season. Red Bull dropped Albon at the end of 2020, and he spent one year away from F1 before returning to the grid with Williams in 2022.

    Carlos Sainz — 2028

    One day after Albon’s renewal was announced, Carlos Sainz’s future was confirmed with a multi-year Williams contract at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. The deal is believed to run until the end of 2028 and include contract clauses.

    Sainz has raced for almost half of the F1 grid since making his debut in 2015 with Toro Rosso. He switched to Renault in 2017, joined McLaren in 2019 for two seasons and then moved to Ferrari for four years. Sainz joined Williams in 2025.

    Racing Bulls

    Liam Lawson — 2026

    Like many Red Bull youngsters, Liam Lawson has largely worked on one-year contracts, and 2026 is no different. The New Zealander responded well after being demoted to Racing Bulls following just two rounds as a Red Bull driver and secured his short-term future with the team for the season.

    Lawson made his F1 debut in 2023 as an injury replacement for Daniel Ricciardo. In 2024, he permanently replaced Ricciardo at Racing Bulls from the United States Grand Prix, leading to his ill-fated promotion to Red Bull and subsequent return to Racing Bulls in 2025.

    Arvid Lindblad — 2026

    F1’s only rookie on the 2026 grid was handed a one-year contract to prove himself at Racing Bulls.

    The British driver has impressed during his debut season and appears set to retain his place on the grid for 2027.

    Aston Martin

    Fernando Alonso — 2026

    The biggest remaining question surrounding the 2027 F1 grid concerns Fernando Alonso. The 45-year-old agreed to a contract extension in 2024 that will keep him at Aston Martin until the end of the 2026 season.

    Alonso made his F1 debut with Minardi in 2001. After spending one year away from the grid as a Renault test driver, he returned in 2003 for a four-year stint that produced two world titles. Following an unsuccessful 2007 season with McLaren, Alonso returned to Renault for 2008 and 2009 before joining Ferrari for five years. He later had a second spell with McLaren amid its crisis with Honda and left both the team and F1 at the end of 2018. Alonso returned to F1 with Alpine in 2021 before switching to Aston Martin for 2023.

    Lance Stroll — 2026

    Lance Stroll is in the unique position of arguably having a timeless contract because his father, Lawrence Stroll, owns Aston Martin. He could therefore continue racing for the team for as long as both decide.

    A contract announced in 2024 covering “2025 and beyond” guarantees Stroll a place at least through the end of 2026, but the agreement is expected to continue indefinitely.

    The Canadian made his F1 debut with Williams in 2017 and spent two seasons there before joining Racing Point, which was rebranded as Aston Martin in 2021.

    Haas

    Esteban Ocon — 2026

    When Esteban Ocon joined Haas for 2025, the deal was described as multi-year, with options believed to cover 2027. However, neither the driver nor the team has so far indicated that an agreement extending beyond this season is in place.

    Ocon made his F1 debut midway through 2016 as a Mercedes junior with Manor. After the team folded, he joined Force India but lost his place in the line-up during Lawrence Stroll’s takeover at the end of 2018. After a year away, Ocon returned to F1 with Renault in 2020, remaining there until 2024 before moving to Haas.

    Oliver Bearman — 2026

    Oliver Bearman became a full-time Haas F1 driver in 2025, and his current contract is believed to expire at the end of 2026.

    The British driver made a surprise F1 debut for Ferrari as a substitute for Carlos Sainz at the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. He made two further appearances that year with Haas, driving at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix for the banned Kevin Magnussen and again for Magnussen at the Brazilian Grand Prix when the Dane was unwell. Bearman became a permanent Haas driver in 2025.

    Audi

    Nico Hulkenberg — 2026

    Nico Hulkenberg joined Sauber in 2025 ahead of its transition to Audi on a multi-year contract. The agreement is expected to carry him into 2027 if both parties agree.

    Hulkenberg’s F1 career began with Williams in 2010. After a year away, he returned with Force India in 2012, joined Sauber for 2013 and reunited with Force India the following year, staying until the end of 2016. Two seasons with Renault ended with Hulkenberg failing to secure a full-time seat for 2020 and 2021, although he made five substitute appearances for Racing Point and Aston Martin. He returned to a full-time F1 seat with Haas in 2023, spending two seasons there before joining the Sauber-Audi project.

    Gabriel Bortoleto — 2026

    Gabriel Bortoleto made his F1 debut with Sauber in 2025 ahead of the team’s transition to Audi. Like Hulkenberg, his contract is described as multi-year and is expected to be extended into 2027.

    Alpine

    Pierre Gasly — 2028

    Pierre Gasly signed a new multi-year contract with Alpine in 2025 that will keep him at the team until at least the end of 2028.

    Gasly made his F1 debut with Toro Rosso as a mid-season replacement in 2017 before completing a full season with the team in 2018. A brief spell at Red Bull in 2019 ended with his demotion back to Toro Rosso, where he remained until the end of 2022. The French driver joined Alpine in 2023 and has stayed with the team since.

    Franco Colapinto — 2027

    Franco Colapinto emerged as one of the biggest winners in a stable 2026 driver market, as limited movement elsewhere gave Alpine the opportunity to assess him. The Argentinian driver has consequently been retained by the Enstone team for 2027.

    Colapinto made his F1 debut with Williams midway through 2024 but found his path to a full-time seat blocked. He switched to Alpine for 2025 and again joined as a mid-season replacement, this time doing enough to secure a full-time contract from 2026.

    Cadillac

    Sergio Perez — 2027

    Sergio Perez secured an F1 comeback with the new Cadillac team on a multi-year contract that will keep him there until at least the end of 2027.

    Perez began his F1 career with Sauber in 2011, impressing enough to earn a McLaren seat for 2013. He moved to Force India in 2014 and played an integral role in saving the team from administration before joining Red Bull at the end of 2020. After a promising start in Milton Keynes, Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 before his contract expired. He spent 2025 away from F1 before returning with Cadillac in 2026.

    Valtteri Bottas — 2027

    Valtteri Bottas also returned to F1 with Cadillac. The Finn has a multi-year contract that is set to run until the end of 2027.

    Bottas made his F1 debut with Williams in 2013 before unexpectedly joining Mercedes in 2017. He helped the team win five constructors’ world championships before moving to Alfa Romeo in 2022. His three-year spell at Alfa Romeo and Sauber ended in 2024, followed by one season away from the grid before he joined Cadillac for 2026.

    Source: www.motorsport.com

  • Exclusive Kimi Antonelli Interview: Staying Focused in the F1 Title Fight and His ‘different mindset’ for Monza

    Exclusive Kimi Antonelli Interview: Staying Focused in the F1 Title Fight and His ‘different mindset’ for Monza

    Kimi Antonelli is enjoying a remarkable second season in Formula 1, leading the Drivers’ Championship by 59 points over Mercedes teammate George Russell and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, whom he replaced at the team in 2025.

    Antonelli’s historic Formula 1 season

    Only seven Formula 1 Grands Prix have been won by teenagers, and Antonelli has claimed six of those victories. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen won the other race.

    Antonelli secured his first F1 pole position in China earlier this year and converted it into his maiden Grand Prix victory. The Italian then produced a run of five consecutive wins, including a dominant performance on the streets of Monte Carlo to take victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.

    Mercedes rookie outperforming Russell

    The now 20-year-old has rarely put a foot wrong throughout the season. Taking full advantage of a very fast Mercedes, Antonelli has consistently outperformed his more experienced teammate Russell.

    Even when a small error has crept into his performance or he has struggled to find the limit, Antonelli has still managed to recover strong results. He finished third in Hungary before the summer break and followed that with second place at Zandvoort after the break.

    Source: www.formula1.com

  • George Russell Also Set for F1 Engine Penalty, but Mercedes Has Yet to Decide When

    George Russell Also Set for F1 Engine Penalty, but Mercedes Has Yet to Decide When

    Mercedes is still deciding when George Russell will take an engine-change penalty during the remainder of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the team preparing for him to face a similar sanction to Kimi Antonelli at the Italian Grand Prix.

    F1 championship leader Antonelli is expected to start from the back of the grid at his home race in Monza after taking a full power unit change. Reliability problems earlier in the season have pushed the Mercedes driver through his permitted allocation of engine components, while he also retired from the June Spanish Grand Prix after suffering a terminal power unit failure.

    Why Monza is suitable for Antonelli’s penalty

    Formula 1 teams usually try to schedule power unit changes and the resulting grid penalties at circuits where overtaking is relatively straightforward. Monza is considered a favourable venue because its layout is expected to provide several opportunities to recover positions.

    That is why Mercedes is confident it can limit the impact of Antonelli’s penalty at his home race.

    “We’ve regretted doing it in Monza previously because the degradation has been relatively low in recent years,” Andrew Shovlin, Mercedes trackside engineering director, said on the team’s Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “The cars had low drag, so they weren’t actually great for towing because they don’t sort of punch a particularly big hole in that configuration. And also the DRS effect was very small.

    “That was in the past. Now you’ve got a real energy-starved circuit and it becomes one where there are four overtaking zones. You definitely can’t defend at all of them. And if you are a faster car, we expect it to be relatively straightforward to make progress.

    “But saying that, how do we decide where to take them? The main point is based on where do you need the hardware.

    “We’ve lost some internal combustion engines at reasonably low mileage. So the biggest thing is a case of we need to take it by this point. And if that point is a race where you really don’t want to be fighting from the back, we’ll consider bringing it earlier.

    “There’s a bit of a sense that we’ve got a lead in both championships. Let’s do the painful stuff while we have a lead in both championships. Not, if that gets closer at the end, we don’t want to be adding, piling more and more pressure on ourselves.”

    Mercedes weighs Russell’s engine-change timing

    With Antonelli’s penalty already expected at Monza, Mercedes is turning its attention to Russell’s engine-change dilemma. The team would prefer to avoid both drivers starting from the back at the same race, if possible, so it is assessing circuits immediately after Italy where overtaking may be easier.

    “We’ve not yet quite nailed down where George will take his, but it’s there for both of them because both of them have [suffered engine failures],” Bradley Lord, Mercedes deputy team principal, said.

    “We saw the retirement for George in Canada, Kimi in Barcelona. And then George also had a stoppage in Hungary as well, right at the end of his qualifying lap there, it could have been a much more serious impact for us had that happened in the race.

    “We’ve got some stuff to manage through in order to get to the end of the season on the freshest and most performant hardware possible. And it is always a trade-off between where are you getting into a risky zone on sort of high-life or high-mileage components.

    “And what’s the risk of not scoring points from that versus the penalty of taking the grid penalty and having that deficit and then coming back hopefully through the field at the events where you need to do it, and which one statistically is likely to give you the best point scorer at the end.”

    Based on those considerations, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku is emerging as a likely option for Russell’s grid penalty because of its similarities to Monza. The new Madrid circuit remains an unknown, meaning Russell may need to complete the Italian and Spanish rounds before serving his penalty at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the end of September.

    Mercedes could also consider Sepang, which hosts the Malaysian Grand Prix, one week after Baku. The circuit is likewise expected to offer a high number of overtaking opportunities.

    Mercedes assessing power unit reliability risk

    The team must also decide how long it can delay Russell’s engine change without taking excessive risks with the mileage and wear on his existing power unit components.

    “There is a sort of probability of failure [to consider],” Shovlin added. “It’s never an absolutely known thing and that’s evolving race on race.

    “So with Mercedes and the customer teams, every race you put more miles on the power units, every race they’re checked and trying to understand whether previous containments for faults have actually solved a problem.

    “It could be that our optimism for taking a PU to the sixth or seventh race might be higher in a few races time than it is right now. Every race we’re rejigging plans just based on what we’ve learned and where we may have gained a bit more confidence.”

  • Guenther Steiner Says Mercedes Has Clarified George Russell’s Support Role

    Guenther Steiner Says Mercedes Has Clarified George Russell’s Support Role

    Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Mercedes has told George Russell to support Kimi Antonelli’s 2026 championship campaign.

    Russell arrived at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as the clear favourite for the 2026 drivers’ title. However, his Mercedes team-mate became the youngest driver to lead the standings after consecutive victories at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.

    During the first half of the season, Russell won two Grands Prix while Antonelli claimed six victories. The Italian currently leads the championship with 242 points, while Russell sits second on 183 points, level with Lewis Hamilton.

    Mercedes team orders raise questions over Russell and Antonelli

    Russell was asked to let Antonelli past during the Dutch Grand Prix, reigniting questions about Mercedes’ internal dynamics. Team principal Toto Wolff said the instruction was not related to the championship.

    Russell briefly questioned the order over team radio before allowing his team-mate through. He finished third behind race winner Lando Norris and Antonelli, later telling the media that the decision was correct because Antonelli would probably have overtaken him anyway on fresher tyres.

    Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes

    Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

    Speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, Steiner suggested that Mercedes must have held a clear discussion during the summer break to define its new rules of engagement. The team and its drivers have not confirmed that such a conversation took place.

    “I wouldn’t say they told him, ‘You’re the number two driver.’ They told him, ‘You are now here to support Kimi.’ I wouldn’t call him the number two driver, but, ‘If needed, you need to support Kimi to win the world championship. This is your mission for this season.’ No, I think that happened,” Steiner explained.

    Steiner argued that supporting Antonelli would be necessary if Mercedes wants to secure the drivers’ championship, warning that failing to establish clear priorities could leave the team vulnerable late in the season.

    “If you want to win, this is what you have to do. Otherwise, you take the risk as McLaren did last year, then get down to the last race to lose that world championship, not to win it, to lose it.”

  • George Russell Treats Mercedes Team Members to Special Silverstone Karting Event

    George Russell Treats Mercedes Team Members to Special Silverstone Karting Event

    George Russell celebrated Mercedes’ double podium at the Dutch Grand Prix by rewarding team members from the Brackley and Brixworth facilities with a private karting event at Silverstone Circuit.

    Mercedes confirmed the event on social media, posting on X: “Swapping the W17 for the kart. All smiles as George treated team members from both Brackley and Brixworth to a special karting experience at Silverstone.”

    Russell joins Mercedes staff for Silverstone karting day

    The event brought together employees from Mercedes’ main headquarters in Brackley and Mercedes High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth.

    “We’re here at Silverstone doing a team karting day,” Russell told the camera. “A thousand people applied from Brackley and Brixworth, but we can only fit 170 people. Really looking forward to it, and I’m going to be racing with them.”

    After the staff had completed several laps, Russell put on his race suit and joined them on track. He also handed out medals to the participants at the end of the event.

    Fans responded positively to footage of Russell enjoying the day. One commenter on X wrote: “It’s so nice seeing George this happy. It makes you realise how different things could be with a bit more support. Obviously, I’m not talking about Marcus, Katsu, and the others; you know full well who the problem is…”

    Another fan added: “I really love how happy George looks for the entire day. He really loves this team.”

    Some comments took a more sarcastic tone, including: “Just give him the kart at Monza. Probably be more reliable” and “He finally gets a reliable car, no wonder he’s happy.”

    Mercedes leads 2026 constructors’ championship

    The karting event comes during a strong 2026 campaign for Mercedes. The team currently leads the constructors’ championship with 425 points, while Ferrari is second on 338 points.

    Russell sits second in the drivers’ championship, 59 points behind his team-mate Kimi Antonelli. He is level on points with Lewis Hamilton.

    The 13th round of the season will be held at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix weekend from 4-6 September.

    Source: www.motorsport.com