George Russell blames driving style for Miami deficit to Kimi Antonelli
George Russell says his smooth driving style is to blame for his significant qualifying deficit to Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the Miami Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old Italian claimed a superb pole position for Sunday’s race, beating his more experienced garage partner by almost four-tenths of a second.
That pace advantage left the Briton settling for fifth on the grid at the Miami International Autodrome.
The teenage sensation currently leads the Drivers’ Championship by seven points, having secured back-to-back victories in China and Japan earlier this season.
Low-grip struggles
The pair’s qualifying form continued a clear trend established throughout the Florida weekend.
While the former Williams driver managed to outscore his rival in Friday’s Sprint, that was solely due to the championship leader receiving a post-race penalty for track limits.
“I just struggle on these low-grip circuits, so here, Zandvoort, Brazil,”
Russell explained after qualifying.
“It was the same last year; it’s something I want to work on but there are three tracks out of the 24 that are outliers, and Miami is definitely top of that list.”
Sliding in the Florida heat
The British racer noted that the unique circuit characteristics actively work against his natural approach behind the wheel.
“I’m quite a smooth, precise driver, and that’s always been my style,”
he added.
“On these tracks you have to be happy with the car just sliding.”
“It’s so hot, the tyre pressures are high, the grip is really low, so it doesn’t feel that pleasant, whereas tracks like Saudi the grip is super high.”
Championship battle intensifies
The King’s Lynn-born racer entered the 2026 campaign as a heavy pre-season favourite to claim his maiden world title.
He initially delivered on those lofty expectations by comfortably winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
However, his rookie team-mate has dramatically shifted the momentum within the Silver Arrows camp during the subsequent rounds.
With grid positions locked in, the established Mercedes team leader faces a daunting uphill battle to close the points gap in Sunday’s showpiece event.