George Russell needs ‘big turnaround’ to catch Kimi Antonelli – Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen has told George Russell he requires a “big turnaround” to stop Kimi Antonelli from winning the world championship ahead of this weekend’s ‘Bahrain Grand Prix’.
Max Verstappen has told George Russell he requires a “big turnaround” to stop Kimi Antonelli from winning the world championship ahead of this weekend’s ‘Bahrain Grand Prix’.
Russell heads into the 16th round of the season – which is being staged here in Malaysia as a stand-in fixture for the Manama round pulled from the calendar because of the conflict in the Middle East – 66 points adrift of Antonelli.
The British driver, 28, started the season as the world championship favourite but, after winning the opening contest in Australia, his campaign stalled as he struggled to master a car more suited to 20-year-old Antonelli’s driving style. Antonelli has won eight races to Russell’s three.
However, Russell’s dominant performance in Azerbaijan a week ago, where he led every lap from pole – after Antonelli crashed out in qualifying – has provided him with a flicker of hope that the title fight remains on.
But when assessing Russell’s championship chances, Verstappen told the Press Association: “At times it sounded as though, and I don’t want to say he (Russell) was giving up, but that maybe there were question marks.
“It has probably been a little bit confusing, and that risk is always there when you have new regulations.
“Kimi is also super-talented and last year was his rookie season, so I always knew that he would make a step. The previous ground-effect cars were very hard for rookies to actually get into because it was a complicated car, and you couldn’t commit 100 per cent.
“Now, it is a very different way of driving, and it probably suits Kimi a bit more naturally, but on the other hand, that isn’t an excuse.
“Sometimes you have to accept that you are sitting next to someone who is an incredible talent, right? Then you need to be mentally resilient, and it comes down to what goes on in your head, and how you keep yourself motivated.
“He (Russell) had a really good weekend in Baku, but it is still a big gap. And honestly Kimi just needs to stay close to him, and then that will be enough, even if it just one place behind.
“It is not impossible for George (to win the title), but it needs to be a big turnaround, and when it is between team-mates it is harder because you have the same car.”
Mercedes have brought a significant upgrade for Formula One’s first race in Malaysia in nine years – with seven major revisions across the floor, rear suspension and rear bodywork of their car.
Russell and Antonelli both made mistakes in their practice runs on Friday leaving them seventh and eighth respectively in the order.
Verstappen appears Mercedes’ biggest threat after he finished quickest in first practice, before he guarded his true pace later in the day when he elected not to set a lap on the speediest soft tyre compound.
The hot and humid conditions in Sepang will provide the drivers with possibly the fiercest physical test of the season.
Russell, Antonelli and Verstappen – unlike the majority of the field – will not wear a hi-tech cooling vest to combat the exhausting temperatures. For Verstappen, it is personal choice, while Mercedes have used their financial resources elsewhere.
Published: by Radio NewsHub