George Russell in 'worst-case scenario' as Kimi Antonelli 'steals' thunder

George Russell is currently trapped in a "worst-case scenario" after having Kimi Antonelli "steal his thunder" at Mercedes, Martin Brundle believes.

Russell entered 2026 as the overwhelming favourite to land the drivers' championship, but despite winning the first race in Australia, has not beaten Antonelli in a grand prix since, with the Italian racking up four straight wins across China, Japan, Miami, and Canada.

Russell was leading in Montreal before an engine failure caused his retirement, handing Antonelli a simple cruise to his fourth win from five, and handing the Italian teenager a 43-point lead in the drivers' championship. 

The Briton was comprehensively out-performed by Antonelli in Miami, with the two then engaging in a fierce battle for the lead of the Canadian Sprint and grand prix as Russell tried to assert his authority on his junior team-mate.

However, Brundle believes that Russell must play the long game after being upstaged by Antonelli in the early part of the season. 

"Kimi has been amazing this year, four straight victories, but a little bit wild in places, with a few trips across the grass here and there, and anything can happen this weekend," Brundle told Sky Sports F1. 

"I think he knows he'll just have to pull back a little bit on the flamboyance and the brilliance he's been showing behind the wheel, because this is a weekend to get to the end of. 

"It is a worst-case scenario for George. He went into Mercedes just as they stop dominating, he's done the hard yards, he's been brilliant, and now they've got the fastest car in the field, this kid, this teenager turns up and steals all the thunder.

"Now it is all about whether George is old and wise enough to know what goes around, comes around. It is a long way to go, but a 43-point deficit, that is a first and second that Kimi's got in his pocket over George. It is quite painful."

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Russell showing unseen 'aggression'

Meanwhile, 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button was full of praise for Russell "trying to put Antonelli in his place" on-track and comments in the media that the title is Antonelli's "to lose."

"It was a shame with the failure for George, but what an exciting fight it was, passing in places I didn't think you could," said Button. 

"The one thing I would say that is a standout this year is George's aggression against Kimi.

"I think we've seen in the last couple of races with George that he has been very aggressive with Kimi, trying to put him in his place. 

"Obviously, the 19-year-old leading the world championship has got 43 points on him, so he is more aggressive, and it is nice to see.

"The good thing is that Kimi is on the radio, talking about it, and he is very open with his emotions, so for us commentating and for the fans, it is fantastic."