Sky Sports commentator David Croft has warned that George Russell must find a way to beat teammate Kimi Antonelli after the Italian’s third consecutive win at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
Russell initially looked to be the in-form driver at Mercedes in 2026, comfortably winning the season opener at Albert Park, and the Sprint Race in China.
However, the tide turned, and Antonelli has begun to dominate his teammate, both out out-qualifying and out-racing him to win three consecutive grand prix’s.
With momentum building behind Antonelli, Russell now lies almost a full race victory behind his chief title rival in the standings after just four races.
Croft underlined the challenge facing Russell, believing the upgrades to the W17 and tracks that suit the Briton hold the key to turning around his fortunes.
“I would want Montreal to come next weekend, if I was George Russell,” Croft said on Sky Sports F1 podcast.
“I wouldn’t want to be waiting a couple of weeks, dwelling on what happened in Miami and thinking about how big Canada is now becoming. He won there last year, it’s a track he’s really strong at. And Kimi finished on the podium, so it was a very good weekend for Mercedes last year.
“But if George doesn’t beat Kimi – with Mercedes’ upgrades that are coming- on a track that he regards as one of his best, and Toto Wolff says is one of his best, then the alarm bells really start to ring.
“There’s still a long way to go in the season, but this is a massive weekend for George Russell. He needs that commanding performance. But Kimi’s on a roll.”
Kimi Antonelli employing a second weapon against George Russell?
Croft also believes the fledgling partnership between Anotnelli and Peter Bonnington on the pit wall is proving unexpectedly effective.
“George is not just racing against Kimi, he’s racing against what is a very good new partnership,” Croft added.
“Bono was coaching Kimi lap-by-lap. The reassurance that comes from the pit wall, the guidance that comes from the pit wall. He’s got an excellent comfort blanket, safety net, coach and guru, whatever you want to call it, in his corner.
“Bono has been there with championship-winning seasons and how to take the pressure of it. He is the perfect man for Kimi Antonelli. It’s not just George against Kimi, it’s George against a partnership, and that’s going to take some cracking.”
A 20-point deficit in the title battle after four rounds can easily be turned around at this stage of the season.
Canada is one of his best circuits, a victory there will prove timely in more ways than one to begin to eat into the points gap.
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