Might 12 (GMM) George Russell is underneath mounting strain after being comprehensively crushed by teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli to date in 2026.
The Italian 19-year-old has now received the final three races from pole place and leads Russell by 20 factors on the earth championship, intensifying scrutiny contained in the dominant Mercedes group.
“I’ve to be utterly sincere, Kimi Antonelli utterly outclassed George Russell in Miami,” Ralf Schumacher mentioned on Sky Deutschland.
“That’s simply how it’s. The gaps have been big, additionally when it comes to laptimes.”
Schumacher believes the steadiness of energy inside Mercedes is now quickly shifting.
“For Toto Wolff, the scenario is ideal as a result of he now has his number one driver,” he mentioned. “His number one, who can battle for the World Championship, and Russell, who can rating factors. That’s the way it seems to be in the meanwhile.”
“And now one thing else will occur throughout the group – they may hearken to Antonelli an increasing number of. Furthermore, he clearly has an enormous affect on every thing together with his race engineer,” Schumacher added, referring to the well-known Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.
“Will probably be fascinating for Russell to see if he can flip issues round. I feel it will likely be troublesome for him.”
Schumacher thinks Russell’s manner has already visibly modified.
“Russell is an excellent F1 driver and, together with his expertise, has likelihood of competing for the championship,” he mentioned.
“Nevertheless, you possibly can inform issues aren’t going as easily as they used to and he’s questioning himself.”
“His teammate is at the moment sooner, and he himself appears tense. The scenario jogs my memory of Oscar Piastri final 12 months.”
He even criticised Russell’s public picture administration.
“From my perspective, Russell isn’t being genuine,” Schumacher mentioned. “George performs a sure recreation together with his English politeness.”
“And proper now, it’s form of backfiring on him, as a result of he’s not being himself. I feel it could do him good to talk his thoughts.”
“He might actually handle the scenario – everybody can see from the surface that issues aren’t going effectively.”
In the meantime, Antonelli has admitted his rivals are now not treating him like a rookie.
“Final 12 months, Verstappen and Hamilton have been very open and helped me,” he advised Bild newspaper. “However now they’ve stopped.”
