Jun.10 (GMM) George Russell’s championship challenge may be fading fast, but former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner believes the Mercedes driver remains every bit as good as runaway leader Kimi Antonelli.
Russell’s difficult run continued in Monaco, leaving him 68 points behind his teenage teammate after Antonelli’s fifth win in six races.
The Briton admitted: “I’m in a state of struggling to comprehend what is going on.”
After Antonelli’s latest victory, Russell’s own comment from Montreal that the title was now “Kimi’s to lose” has only become more striking.
While some observers believe Antonelli is now simply outperforming his more experienced teammate, Russell insists fortune has played a major role.
“I’ve had huge lows in my career, after I performed poorly myself two or three races in a row,” he said. “But I’ve never experienced such a series of bad luck.”
Danner agrees that circumstances have heavily favoured the 19-year-old Italian.
“Kimi has all the luck in the world, and George has all the bad luck in the world,” he told Speed Week.
“He just has to get through it. The racing gods will turn things around eventually, and Kimi will realise that at some point.”
The German believes the two Mercedes drivers remain closely matched despite the growing points gap. “Fundamentally, the two are evenly matched, and that’s the only thing that matters,” said Danner.
“And that’s great for both of them.”
His advice to Russell is simple.
“Just don’t think about it, keep going, drive,” Danner said. “Don’t think, right foot and that’s it.
“Whatever forces you to keep a clear head, because that’s what it comes down to. You simply have to be able to do that, otherwise you’ll get crushed in this business.”
Danner is confident Russell has the mentality to recover.
“I believe George can do it,” he said. “He’s crystal clear-headed and knows exactly what’s at stake, what he has to do. I think George will pull himself together somehow and he’ll definitely be in the fight.”
The former driver also rejected suggestions that Antonelli’s title charge has been entirely flawless.
“Kimi is driving incredibly well and he gets 10 out of 10 from me,” said Danner. “But I have eyes in my head and I also saw exactly how lucky he was that he didn’t crash, take out his teammate, and so on.
“Greatest respect for Kimi, but also greatest respect for George.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, meanwhile, has little interest in discussions about luck – or that Russell is now stuck in a downwards spiral.
“F1 is about physics, not mysticism,” he said.
“A driver doesn’t suddenly forget how to drive, and nobody suddenly becomes a champion. So I’m not worried about his performance because we know he’s one of the best.”
Wolff admits Mercedes still needs to understand why Russell struggled in Monaco.
“We need to keep our feet on the ground, analyse the data, and figure out why it was difficult here and why Miami was difficult,” he said. “But it’s not like we’re seeing a pattern over the season.”
The Austrian remains fully supportive of both drivers.
“I have no doubt that George will come back strong,” Wolff said. “I couldn’t ask for a better driver pairing.
“We have two drivers we can rely on to bring us wins and points.”
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix at the iconic Red Bull Ring; a fan favorite that rarely disappoints. Set in Austria’s stunning Styrian Hills, this scenic circuit is famous for its dramatic elevation changes and thrilling uphill turns. We’ve planned every detail so you can relax and enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours at the legendary Silverstone Circuit for the 2026 British Grand Prix; the birthplace of modern F1. This isn’t just race weekend; you’ll visit the British Motor Museum, explore the Silverstone Museum, and enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Factory. With over 40 years of experience hosting this trip, we’ve thought of every detail for the ultimate F1 fan experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours for the 32nd Goodwood Festival of Speed in the South of England, a long summer weekend celebrating the greatest moments in motorsport. Held at the magnificent Goodwood House, this world-renowned event showcases an unparalleled collection of historic and modern racing cars from the past 125 years. We’ve taken care of every detail so you can enjoy an unforgettable motorsport getaway.
SHOW PACKAGES
Grand Prix Tours delivers the ultimate 2026 Belgian Grand Prix experience on July 19 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps. Famed for its stunning setting, rich racing history, and iconic corners like Eau Rouge, Spa offers one of Formula 1’s most thrilling weekends, complete with unpredictable weather and nonstop action. With only a one-year contract in place, this could be your last chance to witness F1 at this historic circuit.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Northern Italy like a true motorsport insider on our Italian Extravaganza, the perfect lead-in to the Italian Grand Prix. Journey through the heart of Italy’s legendary supercar region with exclusive access and behind-the-scenes insights into iconic brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, and more. Along the way, enjoy a unique visit to a family-run balsamic vinegar producer for an authentic tasting experience. For car enthusiasts, this is the ultimate way to elevate your Italian Grand Prix weekend.
SHOW PACKAGES
Join Grand Prix Tours in Northern Italy for the unforgettable 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. With over 95 years of racing history, passionate Ferrari fans, and electrifying post-race celebrations, Monza delivers one of the most thrilling weekends in motorsport. Enjoy a seamless experience with accommodations in stunning Como, airport and track transfers, and an exclusive pre-race dinner with a racing celebrity, backed by our 40+ years of expertise at this iconic event.
SHOW PACKAGES
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