Russell perplexed by struggles having arrived in Monaco playing mind games

George Russell tried playing a few mind games with Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli but is now the one "scratching my head".

George Russell arrived in Monaco aiming to play mind games with Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli but found himself 'scratching my head' after qualifying sixth, with Antonelli on pole, 0.394 seconds ahead.

George Russell remains confident in his world championship ambitions despite taking a serious blow with a mechanical failure at the last round in Canada. In Monaco, the British driver insisted that he felt no pressure, with the Formula One title his rival and teammate Kimi Antonelli’s to lose.

Mercedes driver George Russell, of Britain, walks through the paddock at the F1 Canadian Grand Prix auto race in Montreal, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) By James Ellingworth | AP It’s Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 title “to lose”, or so his Mercedes teammate George Russell says. At the Monaco Grand Prix this week, for once they might both lose. The 19-year-old Antonelli has won four races in a row for a vast 43-point lead and, between him and Russell, Mercedes has won every Grand Prix this year. Ferrari and hometown hero Charles Leclerc will aim to end that streak this week.

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli have been 'trusted' to race each other freely as long as there is 'respect' after Mercedes held discussions with its drivers following their battles in Canada. The Mercedes duo went head-to-head in the Sprint and Grand Prix last time out in Montreal, making minor contact in both duels. Russell came out on top in the Sprint but their battle in the main race came to an end after 30 laps when the British driver retired due to an engine problem which leaves him 43 points behind Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship.

Mercedes faces a tense title battle between its drivers. Adam Cooper 04 Jun 2026 Image: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, 2026 Canadian GP © XPB Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli says that his Mercedes Formula 1 team “can’t put a leash on a driver” amid flaring title battle tensions. His team boss Toto Wolff suggested after the Canadian GP that he might have to put a “handbrake” on the fighting between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, after the pair clashed several times. However, Kimi Antonelli confirmed that following meetings between Montreal and Monaco, it was reaffirmed that he and Russell are free to race – as long as it doesn’t lead to a car getting damaged.