George Russell told to ‘stop Antonelli in his tracks’ by Martin Brundle in psychological battle

George Russell has been told by Martin Brundle to "stop Antonelli in his tracks" at the Canadian Grand Prix as he trails his younger Mercedes teammate by 20 points after four races. Despite winning the season opener, Russell has lost momentum as Antonelli scored a hat-trick of wins, becoming the surprise title favourite.

Why it matters:

The Mercedes intra-team battle is now a key storyline in the 2026 season, with both drivers vying for the championship lead. Russell's experience is being tested by Antonelli's rapid rise, and the psychological dynamic could determine Mercedes' title hopes.

The details:

• Brundle downplayed the points deficit, noting 482 points remain, and highlighted last year's example of Lando Norris recovering from a clumsy crash with his teammate to win the title.
• The Canadian GP will be the first Sprint weekend of the season, with cold temperatures and possible rain adding unpredictability.
• Mercedes is bringing its first major upgrade package, with Brundle expecting teams to "flip-flop" as they learn the new regulations.
• Russell currently trails Antonelli by 20 points, while Mercedes leads the Constructors' by 70 points over Ferrari.

What's next:

The Canadian Grand Prix could be a turning point for Russell if he can outscore Antonelli and regain psychological advantage. With a long season ahead, the intra-team rivalry is far from decided.