George Russell has made it clear that Kimi Antonelli's current position at the top of the 2026 Formula 1 championship is not something he worries about. The young Italian, who is just 19 years old, sits nine points ahead of Russell after the first three rounds, but the Mercedes driver insists that the gap is "not even a consideration" at this stage of the season.
Russell was asked whether Antonelli's unexpected rise – making him the youngest points leader in F1 history – had altered the internal dynamics at Mercedes. He responded with a metaphor about the London Marathon: "When you’re three miles into a marathon you’re not thinking about the finish line because you still have 23 miles to go. We’re only in race four, so his lead is not even a consideration. Of course, he’s done an amazing job so far this year." He added that his own disappointing performance in the last race was merely a blip and that championships are won over the long haul, not after a single event.
Russell also reflected on his own career trajectory, noting that even when he was a junior driver he never won every weekend. "The championships I fought and won as a youngster weren’t won every single weekend," he said. "There are always weekends when the car breaks down, when you’re involved in an incident, or when luck isn’t on your side. That was the case for the title‑contenders last year as well.
If a difficult weekend still yields a P2 in China or a P4 in Japan, I’m happy – it shows we can still collect points. When the weekend runs smoothly, that’s when a win becomes possible." Looking ahead to the upcoming Miami weekend, Russell explained that the five‑week break since the last race has given every team a chance to introduce upgrades. Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull have already brought significant new parts to the Florida circuit, while Mercedes has chosen a more measured approach, spreading its development over the next two events – Miami and then Canada.
"We’re a bit surprised some teams have brought upgrades to Miami; many of those were probably intended for Bahrain or Saudi Arabia," Russell said. "We expected most upgrades to debut in Montreal, and we have a slightly larger package planned for Canada, giving us time to fine‑tune before the next race." Antonelli, who will be returning to the track where he claimed his first F1 pole in Sprint Qualifying a year ago, acknowledges that the competition will be stiffer. "It’s going to be a very interesting weekend for us," he admitted. "We’re not bringing anything major, just a few small tweaks, while other teams – Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull – are rolling out big upgrades.
They’ll definitely be closer, and we’ll have to fight harder this weekend. But we’ll keep our heads down, I’ll try to get the maximum out of the car, and we’ll see what the result is." The Miami event will feature a full Sprint weekend schedule. On Friday, May 1, the programme includes F2 practice at 2:35 pm, the main Grand Prix practice session at 5 pm, F2 qualifying at 7:25 pm, the team bosses’ press conference at 8:10 pm, and Sprint qualifying at 8:40 pm (the session itself starts at 9:30 pm).
Saturday, May 2, sees the F2 Sprint at 2:55 pm, the build‑up to the Miami Sprint at 4 pm, the Sprint race at 5 pm, followed by post‑race analysis and the qualifying build‑up leading into the main qualifying session at 9 pm. Sunday, May 3, the schedule includes the F2 feature race at 5:25 pm, the Grand Prix build‑up at 7 pm, the Miami Grand Prix itself at 9 pm, and a series of reaction and recap shows throughout the evening and into the early hours of Monday. All of these sessions are also available on Sky Sports Main Event.
From a broader perspective, Russell’s comments underline a seasoned driver’s understanding of how a championship unfolds. Early leads, especially those built by a rookie, can be fleeting.
The Mercedes team is focused on steady development rather than a frantic response to every upgrade drop. By pacing their improvements, they hope to retain competitiveness throughout the season, particularly as the calendar moves to higher‑speed circuits like Canada where aerodynamic refinements become crucial. For fans wanting to follow the action, the Miami Grand Prix and its Sprint format will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1, with additional coverage on NOW. The broadcast will feature live timing, on‑track commentary, and post‑race analysis, ensuring viewers can keep up with every twist and turn of the race weekend.
As the season progresses, the narrative will likely shift from early‑season curiosity about Antonelli’s rapid ascent to a deeper battle between the established Mercedes duo and the emerging talent of the Italian teenager, with the ultimate outcome still many races away. In summary, while Antonelli’s nine‑point advantage is noteworthy, Russell treats it as a long‑term challenge rather than an immediate threat. He relies on experience, consistency, and a strategic upgrade plan to keep Mercedes in contention, hoping that each smooth weekend will translate into valuable points and, eventually, race victories as the 2026 season unfolds.