Antonelli Pushes Back on Russell's Title Claim: 'How Can I Lose Something I Haven't Achieved?'

Kimi Antonelli has rejected George Russell's assertion that the 2026 World Drivers' Championship is the Italian's to lose. With a 43-point gap between the Mercedes teammates ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Russell told the BBC that Antonelli's buffer makes him the favorite. But the championship leader isn't buying it.

Why it matters:

The dynamic between Mercedes teammates is shifting. Russell, the more experienced driver, is publicly handing the favorite tag to his rookie teammate, potentially adding psychological pressure. Antonelli's refusal to accept that narrative shows maturity and a focus on the long season ahead.

The details:

• Russell said: "It's his to lose. My mindset is to enjoy every single race, try and win every single race... I'm not going to let this put any more pressure on to me."
• Responding to GPblog in Monaco, Antonelli countered: "How can I lose something that I didn't even achieve? It's still very, very early to think or talk about championship."
• The 19-year-old emphasized he feels no extra pressure: "I feel pretty relaxed about the situation because it's still very early on into the season."
• With 17 races still remaining, Antonelli insists his approach remains the same: "I just continue on trying to excel... we'll see where we end up at the end of the season."

What's next:

The Mercedes duo will face off in Monaco, a track where driver skill can override car performance. Antonelli's calm demeanor suggests he's unfazed by the title talk, but Russell's aggressive mindset could mean a fierce intra-team battle ahead. For now, both drivers are focused on winning races rather than championships.