(Motorsport-Total.com) – While Andrea Kimi Antonelli is thrilling the Formula 1 world in his second season, teammate George Russell is increasingly coming under pressure. However, for world champion Jenson Button, the reason for this is not a lack of performance from the experienced Brit, but the character of the current Mercedes W17.
Read more Button explains Russell problems: W17 does not suit his driving style
Button is convinced that Russell is still driving at the highest level, but this year’s car fits Antonelli’s driving style much better. “I feel a bit for George,” says the 2009 world champion in an interview with Sky. “In recent years he had a car that was not good enough to become world champion – but it fit his driving style perfectly.”
That changed in 2026. “Now he is sitting in a car that will probably win the world championship. But it doesn’t really suit his driving style.”
Antonelli is “never slow”
For Button, this difference also explains the impressive consistency of the only 19-year-old Antonelli. The Italian has certainly made mistakes, but his base pace is exceptional. “He is just never slow,” says Button.
Although Antonelli has already experienced off-track excursions or failed starts this season. “But the speed is always there. In every single race, the pace was there at some point.” That is exactly what makes him so difficult for a teammate. “That is incredibly hard for the other driver.”
Another difference, according to Russell himself, is in the way the tires are handled. The Mercedes driver recently explained that he particularly stresses the rear tires more than his teammate. Button suspects that Antonelli deliberately uses the exceptionally strong steering behavior of the Mercedes.
He draws a comparison with Fernando Alonso during his Renault days in the mid-2000s. “Back then, Fernando had a car with extremely high front axle grip,” Button recalls. Alonso deliberately steered the car very aggressively. “He intentionally induced understeer to save the rear tires.”
Read more Button explains Russell problems: W17 does not suit his driving style
Whether Antonelli follows a similar approach today, he cannot say for sure. “Maybe Kimi does exactly that.” Sky expert Ralf Schumacher additionally points to the classic V-shaped driving style, which also helps to relieve the rear tires in cars with a strong front axle.
Russell is increasingly under pressure
For Button, the psychological component has now been added to the driving differences. Although Russell started the season strongly and initially even had some bad luck. “His pace was really very good at the beginning of the year,” says the Brit.
Antonelli, on the other hand, initially benefited several times from his teammate’s bad luck. “I even had the feeling that Kimi was quite lucky at the beginning.” But now a clear trend has developed. “Then it just kept going. Five wins in a row, now he is winning again.” That inevitably increases the pressure on Russell.
“At 19, you just go for it”
Button also sees a decisive advantage in the age of his fellow countryman successor. “He is only 19 years old,” he says about Antonelli. At this age, one often approaches the task completely carefree. “He is practically fearless. He has hardly known anything else but motorsport in his life so far.”
That is exactly what helps him at the moment. “He just goes out and has fun. He looks incredibly relaxed.” However, Button does not believe this state will last permanently. “I am sure that at some point this season the moment will come when he realizes that he can actually become world champion. From that point on, you really start to feel that pressure.”
Read more Button explains Russell problems: W17 does not suit his driving style