Buxton: Russell's Precision Makes Him the Driver to Beat at Monaco, Ending Antonelli's Streak

Will Buxton, former F1 TV presenter, believes George Russell is primed to conquer the streets of Monaco this weekend and halt the momentum of his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. Speaking on the Up To Speed podcast, Buxton highlighted Russell's precision and consistency as key factors on a circuit that punishes mistakes, suggesting the team's overall advantage could make this a defining weekend.

Why it matters:

The Monaco Grand Prix marks the start of the European leg and a pivotal moment in the intra-Mercedes battle. Russell won the season opener in Australia and the Chinese sprint, but Antonelli—19 years old and now a four-time winner—has built a commanding championship lead. A Russell victory would not only close the gap but also prove that experience can still trump youthful exuberance on the sport's most demanding track.

Between the lines:

Buxton sees Russell's recent comments as subtle mind games. After Canada, Russell said the pressure is off him and he has nothing to lose—a statement Buxton interprets as an attempt to transfer pressure onto Antonelli.

• Antonelli's wild style: Buxton notes that Antonelli's "youthful exuberance" can look wild and untamed. Drawing parallels to Max Verstappen's early Monaco struggles, he questions whether Antonelli can rein in his aggression around the tight barriers.
• Russell's finesse: The Briton's reputation for surgical accuracy and consistency makes him a natural fit for Monaco, where overtaking is near-impossible and track position is king.
• Mercedes advantage: Buxton believes Mercedes has a clear edge this weekend, giving Russell the machinery to execute a perfect weekend.

What's next:

The Monaco Grand Prix takes place from 5–7 June. If Russell can take victory, it would inject fresh life into the championship battle and demonstrate that Antonelli's dominance is not unbreakable. Conversely, another win for Antonelli would further cement his status as the driver to beat in 2026.