The Formula 1 season resumed after a five-week break, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli claiming his third consecutive victory from pole position at the Miami Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian leads team-mate George Russell by 20 points in the title race. World champion Lando Norris became the first non-Mercedes driver to win a race this season in the upgraded McLaren in the sprint event.
Russell Faces Pressure as Antonelli Shines
The start of the 2026 Formula 1 season has not been easy for George Russell. He entered the year as championship favourite, and four races in he is looking at a 20-point deficit to his team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Russell admitted that he struggled at the Miami track, saying, “It was a very tough race. The pace was really, really poor on my side.”
Antonelli had a decisive advantage over Russell all weekend. However, this has not been the case at previous races.
Russell Aims for a Comeback
Russell stated he probably would have been on pole in China, were it not for a series of car problems in qualifying. In Japan, the timing of a safety car handed victory to Antonelli and worked against Russell, who otherwise was on course for at least second place.
Russell said after the race in Miami: “I want to get back on to the top step of the podium. The first three races, I had the performance to do that, but this weekend I absolutely did not.”
Russell added that the championship picture was “no major cause for concern” because “momentum swings throughout the year”.
Wolff’s Perspective on Russell’s Performance
Toto Wolff said: “I’ve always said George wouldn’t be a grand prix winner if he wasn’t a killer. These things, he analyses them, looks at the data, comes to his conclusions.”
Wolff added: “And the conclusion is that he’s never been quite at ease with the track. He never liked the smooth surface. And that’s it. Tick the box. Tomorrow he’s looking forward to Montreal.”
Wolff stated: “It’s 18 races to go. And he wants to score. I don