Russell baffled by pace deficit as Antonelli closes in on F1 title after US GP

George Russell cut a frustrated figure after the United States Grand Prix in Austin, finishing eighth while Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli dominated from pole to extend his Formula 1 championship lead to 123 points with just five rounds remaining.

Russell started sixth but was hampered by a five-second penalty on the opening lap after running off-track at Turn 12 while defending from Oscar Piastri and rejoining ahead of the McLaren. The penalty had limited bearing on the final result, however — without it, Russell would have finished seventh rather than eighth, a gain of just two points.

The bigger concern for the Briton was raw pace. Asked what he was struggling with, Russell was candid: “Just not being quick enough, to be honest. I need to try and understand why it is. It’s strange when you’re so far off, so hopefully there’s some answers somewhere. But, anyway, I don’t have one.”

Russell attributed some of his difficulties to the recently introduced W17 upgrade, which he says has a “narrow set-up window.” His form since the update arrived in Malaysia has been inconsistent — a retirement there due to a late power unit failure, a ninth place in Singapore, and now eighth in Austin mark three consecutive races without a podium.

He did find a brief window of competitive pace in Austin. “When I came out of the pits on the hard tyres, I probably did six laps where I was lapping the same pace as Kimi,” he said. “But then I caught up with Oscar and I just couldn’t overtake. Six good laps, 50 bad laps. I want to understand why the pace was so bad on the first stint.”

With 125 points still available across the final five rounds, Antonelli is on the verge of being crowned champion as early as next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix. Russell sits second in the drivers’ standings but holds only a one-point cushion over third-placed Lewis Hamilton, with Max Verstappen a further five points back in fourth.

Despite his personal struggles, Russell acknowledged the team picture remains positive. “For me, as long as we win the constructors’ championship, that’s the main thing,” he said. Mercedes currently leads Ferrari by 133 points in the constructors’ standings.