George Russell faces challenge against Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 29, 2026, 8:21 AM
Last updated Aug 29, 2026
George Russell is experiencing a challenging season at Mercedes as Kimi Antonelli's performance overshadows his own. After Russell won their internal battle last year, Antonelli now leads the standings by nearly three Grands Prix, highlighting a significant shift in team dynamics. Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner noted that Russell may need to consider his future if he does not want to accept a supporting role like Valtteri Bottas did alongside Lewis Hamilton. Ralf Schumacher also emphasizes Antonelli's consistency, indicating that he has established himself as the team's number one driver, further complicating Russell's position.
- •Russell has lost the internal contest to Antonelli this season.
- •Antonelli holds a significant lead in the standings.
- •Guenther Steiner suggests Russell may need to look for other opportunities.
- •Ralf Schumacher indicates Antonelli's consistency makes him the team leader.
- •Russell's situation mirrors Bottas's time at Mercedes.
- 5:00 PMMotorsport.com — Guenther Steiner claims Mercedes has made George Russell's support role clear
- 8:21 AMYahoo Sports — Russell facing 'new Bottas' status at Mercedes: 'It really looks like'
"Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes the situation George Russell has found himself in against Kimi Antonelli this year “looks like” the one that relegated Valtteri Bottas to a supporting role alongside Lewis Hamilton during their time together at Mercedes. After comfortably winning the intra-team battle last year, Russell has seen the Italian driver's rapid rise overshadow him this season, despite being widely regarded as one of the favourites for the title.
"Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Mercedes will have informed George Russell that his role for the remainder of the 2026 season is to support Kimi Antonelli's championship campaign. While Russell arrived at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as a clear favourite for the 2026 drivers' title, his team-mate became the youngest driver to lead the standings after ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 29, 2026, 5:00 PMGuenther Steiner claims Mercedes has made George Russell's support role clear
Former Haas Formula 1 team principal Guenther Steiner believes Mercedes will have informed George Russell that his role for the remainder of the 2026 season is to support Kimi Antonelli's championship campaign. While Russell arrived at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as a clear favourite for the 2026 drivers' title, his team-mate became the youngest driver to lead the standings after ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 29, 2026, 8:21 AMRussell facing 'new Bottas' status at Mercedes: 'It really looks like'
Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes the situation George Russell has found himself in against Kimi Antonelli this year “looks like” the one that relegated Valtteri Bottas to a supporting role alongside Lewis Hamilton during their time together at Mercedes. After comfortably winning the intra-team battle last year, Russell has seen the Italian driver's rapid rise overshadow him this season, despite being widely regarded as one of the favourites for the title.
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