(Motorsport-Total.com) – To have real chances of winning the World Championship, George Russell should focus less on his Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli, according to Juan Pablo Montoya. Instead, Montoya urged the Brit to focus more on adapting his own driving style.
Read more Montoya demands: Russell must divert focus from Antonelli
At the British Grand Prix, Russell finished in second place. He benefited from a bold, late strategy by Mercedes: during a safety car phase that lasted until the end of the race, he stayed on the track with already used medium tires to successfully defend his position.
Although he was able to nibble a decent chunk off his teammate’s championship lead, Russell admitted after the race that he did not deserve the result. After this weekend, he said he needs to change some things to be able to fight for the 2026 title.
Russell needs to improve
“To be brutally honest: if the performances continue like this, I will not fight for a World Championship,” Russell told F1 TV. “So I am not leaving this weekend satisfied. Of course, I take the result with me.”
“I was probably more satisfied when I retired from the lead in Canada than I am today as second on the podium. In Canada, I probably deserved the win, and today I did not deserve to be where I was.”
Read more Fighting spirit like a champion: Naomi Schiff praises Kimi Antonelli
Following the post-race broadcast on F1 TV, Montoya advised the Brit to focus more on his own driving style rather than too much on his teammate.
Montoya warns Russell
“He needs to adapt. He is so focused on Antonelli and – this is just a guess from me – he really wants to beat Kimi. I think he needs to look more at himself and understand why he can’t get it together. What does the car not allow him to do? He needs to figure out how to set up the car to be able to do that.”
With Russell’s second place in Silverstone and Antonelli finishing 15th, the Brit is now 25 points behind the 19-year-old championship leader in the overall standings.
Behind the two Mercedes drivers follow seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in third place and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who won the British Grand Prix, in fourth.
Read more Fighting spirit like a champion: Naomi Schiff praises Kimi Antonelli