It has not taken long for Kimi Antonelli to win over the court of public opinion.
In a RacingNews365 poll asking readers who is the better Mercedes driver, the 19-year-old Italian commanded a resounding 68% of the vote, leaving George Russell trailing on 32%.
Seven races into the 2026 season, it is difficult to argue with the majority. Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship on 156 points, a full 50 clear of Russell in third, having taken five victories in China, Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco.
Russell, by contrast, has a single win to his name from the season opener in Melbourne.
The numbers paint a stark picture of dominance from a teenager still in just his second campaign, but Russell himself has played down any internal rivalry.
In May, the Briton insisted that Antonelli's championship lead is "not even a consideration" for him, while acknowledging that the W17 currently suits his team-mate's driving style more naturally.
Whether that gap narrows as Mercedes continue to develop the car remains to be seen, but for now, the readers have spoken, and they have spoken emphatically. Antonelli is the man of the moment at Brackley.
Check out the full poll results below!
Who is the better Mercedes driver?
| Option | % |
|---|---|
| George Russell - It has been a difficult few rounds but he is still stronger | 31.1 |
| Kimi Antonelli - He is already a stronger driver than Russell despite his age | 68.9 |
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