George Russell remains unfazed by his 20-point gap behind teammate Kimi Antonelli in the championship standings as Mercedes introduces upgrades for the Canadian Grand Prix. Russell reflects on lessons learned from Miami and expresses confidence in his capabilities and the team's potential improvements.
George Russell isn't letting a 20-point gap to his teammate Kimi Antonelli in the Drivers' Championship get under his skin. As the Canadian Grand Prix approaches, Russell focuses on the positives, especially with Mercedes set to roll out their first significant upgrades of the season for the W17.
Antonelli's recent victory in Miami marked his third in a row, further extending his lead. Meanwhile, Russell had a less stellar weekend, finishing fourth. Yet, the 28-year-old Brit is raring to hit the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, a track that treated him well last year.
"We're at the end of May after just four races, and it’s felt a bit disjointed," Russell said during the media day in Montreal. "I’m looking forward to racing more consistently and finding my rhythm. Miami was tough, but I learned a great deal, and I'm feeling good heading into this weekend."
Reflecting on Miami, Russell admitted they missed some fundamental aspects of racing due to a heavy focus on energy management. "We overlooked some basics, and Miami served as a needed reminder. Painful as it was, it’ll be beneficial for the rest of the season," he noted.
As Mercedes’ rivals made strides with their Miami upgrades, Russell is hopeful the updates coming to the W17 will be competitive. "I'm hoping we’ll match the progress McLaren and Ferrari made. Our numbers look promising, but we won't know until we’re on track," he added.
Despite the standings, Russell is not letting it dictate his approach. "It's just another race for me," he shrugged. "The championship isn't even on my mind right now. I know my capabilities and my speed. Miami was a blip, but I just need to focus on my processes, like I did in Melbourne and China. There's no need to panic with 18 races still to go."
Russell also drew parallels with his F2 season, noting how he was sixth after four races and 35 points down, saying it ultimately meant little in the grand scheme. Regarding his edge in the championship battle, Russell said, "I’m my own main competitor. If I check all my boxes, I can beat anyone. That was true last year with Kimi and before with Lewis [Hamilton]. It's about getting the most out of myself, the car, and the tyres. That's my goal."
Russell’s calm approach and confidence in his abilities might just be what Mercedes needs to claw back some ground this weekend. As the upgrades roll out, the Canadian Grand Prix will be a crucial test for the Silver Arrows.