Mercedes supervisor Toto Wolff has warned Andrea Kimi Antonelli that team-mate George Russell is a “killer” and can bounce again within the F1 title race.
Antonelli took his third consecutive pole place and victory on the Miami Grand Prix, however Russell may solely end fourth in a tricky weekend the place he was clearly outclassed by his teenage Mercedes teammate.
Russell completed 43 seconds behind the 19-year-old Italian, who had a 20-point lead on the high of the world championship standings after the opening 4 races of 2026.
However Wolff believes Russell will bounce again from the present robust state of affairs and issued a warning to Antonelli within the course of.
“I’ve all the time mentioned that if George wasn’t a assassin, he would not be a grand prize winner,” Wolff mentioned in response to a query. crash internet.
“And these items he analyzed, seemed on the knowledge and got here to a conclusion, and that conclusion is that he was by no means used to the observe and by no means preferred clean surfaces. That is it. Verify the field.”
“He is wanting ahead to Montreal tomorrow. There’s 18 races left and he’ll get a variety of factors. I do not assume this means there is not any relevance from his aspect to occupied with what may occur on the finish of the yr.”
Explaining why Antonelli had the higher hand in Miami, Russell insisted he “did not overlook learn how to drive” after Sunday’s robust race.
“He is an excellent driver, exceptionally quick from day one,” Russell mentioned of Antonelli in an interview with Sky Sports activities F1.
“If you do not have pace, you’ll be able to’t win all of the championships at a younger age.
“However I nonetheless believe in myself, I have been there and I have not forgotten learn how to drive.
“It has been a little bit of a tough run, however we now have 4 races left and an extended approach to go. We’ll reassess the state of affairs within the coming weeks.”
