George Russell has effectively handed Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli the status of Formula 1 title favourite, after his DNF and the Italian’s victory in the Canadian Grand Prix.
Russell, who had taken victory in the Sprint Race and earned pole position for Sunday’s race at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, was jostling with his fellow Silver Arrows driver until his car came ot a halt on Lap 29.
With Antonelli therefore sailing to victory, the 19-year-old’s fourth consecutive Grand Prix success leaves him 43 points ahead of Russell in the Drivers’ Championship after five rounds.
Despite at least another 17 Grands Prix left in the calendar, it is an early seizing of the initiative from Antonelli, something that Russell admitted to after the race.
“Right now, it’s his [Antonelli’s] to lose. So many points ahead,” he said, adding that he is looking for a change of fortune to enable a re-establishment of his title credentials.
“I don’t want to be stood here talking like that. It is, of course, frustrating, and I want to be in that fight. Hopefully, the luck turns.”
George Russell confident of clean on-track fights with Kimi Antonelli
One huge talking point of the whole race weekend was Russell and Antonelli’s fraught and contentious on-track battle in the Sprint.
Antonelli was left furious and voiced his displeasure over radio several times, with Team Principal Toto Wolff forced to enter the chat, as it were, to quell his fiery outbursts.
Their battle spilled over into Sunday’s race before Russell retired, but he is confident the pair will keep it clean, and voiced his enjoyment at the battle.
“We know how we need to race,” he said. “I think we both had it under control, and it was great because I really, really enjoyed it, personally.
“It was exceptionally difficult on this circuit to break that one-second overtake mode.
“It was just challenging. In these cold conditions, the only way you get grip is by pushing the tyres to get the temperature, so you’re just spreading that needle of how hard you push, but knowing the consequences are quite big.”
Overtaking will be more at a premium in Monaco next week, but if Antonelli can master the notorious principality street circuit, then his own title prospects will be given a huge shot in the arm.
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“I believe that his vision, knowledge and winning mentality will make a valuable contribution to the continued growth and development of Pramac Racing.”
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