Antonelli's Rise Puts Pressure on Russell: Piquet Warns of 'Beginning of the End'

George Russell arrived in Canada as the reigning winner of last year's race, but the 2026 season has taken a sharp turn against him. After opening with a win in Australia, the Mercedes driver has been overshadowed by teammate Kimi Antonelli, who has scored three consecutive pole positions and victories, arriving in Montreal with a 20-point championship lead. Former world champion Nelson Piquet has warned that this could be 'the beginning of the end' for Russell at Mercedes.

Why it matters:

Russell entered 2026 as a title favorite after his strongest season yet, but the rapid rise of the 19-year-old Antonelli has reshaped the narrative inside Mercedes. If the trend continues, it could fundamentally alter the team's long-term driver hierarchy and end Russell's hopes of finally becoming champion after years alongside Hamilton.

The details:

• Piquet's warning: Speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, Piquet noted that Russell initially benefited from low pressure alongside Hamilton. "Now there's a kid there who didn't even have a driving license when he joined." He still rates Russell among the top five drivers, but warned: "This could be the beginning of the end."
• Momentum shift: Antonelli's three straight wins since China have built a gap that even Piquet describes as "worrying to see what Russell's future might look like."
• Steiner's take: Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner told The Red Flags Podcast that Russell risks falling short in the title fight if Antonelli continues his calm, rapid adaptation. "He could end up settling for second place," Steiner said, though he cautioned that a full season is a long road for a rookie.
• Montreal factor: Russell claimed victory at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve last year, making it an ideal venue to hit back. Antonelli also scored his first F1 podium there in 2025.

What's next:

The Canadian Grand Prix will be a critical test for both drivers. A strong result for Russell could halt the narrative shift, while another Antonelli win would cement his status as the real title threat. Piquet added that confidence on street circuits makes a massive difference—and that Russell may be losing exactly that. How the veteran responds will define the next chapter of Mercedes' 2026 campaign.