Mar.29 (GMM) Pressure is mounting on championship leader George Russell at Mercedes as teammate Kimi Antonelli continues his rapid rise in the opening phase of 2026.
After his breakthrough win in China, the 19-year-old secured a second consecutive pole at Suzuka, with La Gazzetta dello Sport now asking: “Has the overtaking of Russell begun?”
Russell, who still led the championship by 4 points prior to Sunday’s race, was close in qualifying but unhappy with the balance of his car.
“We made a change to the rear before qualifying. It was really just a small thing,” he said.
“Then I went out and it felt like something had broken at the back.”
Team boss Toto Wolff played down the issue as a setup misstep, but inside the dominant team the focus is increasingly on the intra-team battle.
“The team told us not to mess around,” Antonelli revealed, with Mercedes wary of contact between its two title contenders.
The Italian, however, is clearly embracing the fight.
“Compared to last year, I already feel like a different person thanks to the experience I’ve gained,” he said.
“Ultimately, we’re the only two with the same car, so it could be a challenge between us. I’ll try to be ready in every respect, including any mind games. It’s a great opportunity, and I want to make the most of it.”
At the same time, Antonelli struck a more cautious tone about Russell’s strengths.
“We have the same car. He’s even better than me on the fast corners, but for the team, the important thing is to bring home important points,” he said.
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES