George Russell says his “easy” driving type not being suited to the Miami Worldwide Autodrome has been the explanation for his important deficit to his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli on the Florida occasion.
Antonelli, who leads Russell on the high of the Drivers’ Championship by seven factors, took an outstanding pole place for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix, beating his team-mate by nearly 4 tenths of a second because the Brit was left to accept fifth on the grid.
The end result represented a continuation of the pair’s type all through the weekend, with the 19-year-old Italian having taken second in Dash Qualifying on Friday as Russell got here sixth.
Antonelli overcame a poor begin to end fourth on observe within the Dash itself, 4 seconds away from Russell, however was demoted beneath his team-mate – and Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen – to sixth after receiving a five-second penalty for breaching observe limits on 4 events.
“I simply battle on these low-grip circuits, so right here [in Miami], Zandvoort, Brazil,” Russell informed Sky Sports activities F1 after qualifying.
Highlights from qualifying for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.
“It was the identical final 12 months. It is one thing I wish to work on however there are three tracks out of the 24 which might be outliers, and Miami is certainly high of that checklist.
“I am fairly a easy, exact driver. That is at all times been my type. On these tracks it’s a must to be pleased with the automobile simply sliding.
“I just like the automobile on the sting, however that is like you might have a set of 200-lap outdated tyres in your automobile and also you go round and it is simply sliding, oversteer and understeer. That is the identical for everybody.
“It is so sizzling, the tyre pressures are excessive, the grip is admittedly low, so it would not really feel that nice, whereas tracks like Saudi the grip is tremendous excessive.”
After Russell gained the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from pole, Antonelli hit again with poles and victories in China and Japan to safe a nine-point championship lead earlier than the season paused for 5 weeks as races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia had been cancelled.
Highlights of the Dash race from the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.
A lot was made in the course of the break of the truth that Russell, a transparent pre-season favorite for the drivers’ title, was trailing his far much less skilled team-mate after three rounds.
Whereas Russell did truly cut back his deficit within the Miami Dash, that was solely right down to Antonelli making an unforced error, when he had a transparent tempo benefit over his team-mate.
Russell insisted that he is not going to be desirous about “harm limitation” in Sunday’s race, for which the beginning time has been moved three hours earlier to 6pm UK time amid the forecast of thunderstorms.
“I am not pondering harm limitation,” Russell stated. “I am simply going on the market to maximise the end result.
“That was the identical within the Dash. Tomorrow is a distinct day with climate on the radar, and we noticed once more with the race begins, every thing can change within the first few hundred metres.”
‘George goes to be irritated’
Sky Sports activities F1’s Naomi Schiff stated that Russell might be “irritated” at having completed behind Antonelli for a 3rd successive qualifying session.
Reacting to Russell’s feedback, Schiff stated: “The worst factor you see is your team-mate making extra of a spot, going out each session and being faster than him.
“And no matter whether or not it is a driving type factor or not, if he leads to a head-to-head battle together with his team-mate, he is bought to be higher than him each time he goes on the market. It would swing round once more, however clearly George goes to be irritated by that.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secures a 3rd consecutive Grand Prix pole place with a dominant lap in Miami, bouncing again from a tough Dash. Pink Bull’s Max Verstappen improves to second on the grid however stays over a tenth adrift.
“George is a superb driver and he isn’t going to like the scenario, nevertheless it is also a protracted season forward. He is bought consistency on his aspect. He is clearly not bought the tempo this weekend, however he is at all times there, he is at all times going to attain the factors.”
Sky Sports activities F1 pundit and former world champion Jenson Button added: “While you’re a precision driver, it is actually tough when you end up sliding right into a nook and you’ll’t select the apex as you need, or the exit.
“And it is also worse right here as a result of there are different groups which might be aggressive. He is bought the McLarens in entrance, he is bought the Ferraris and Max in a Pink Bull.”
Antonelli: I used to be pleased with my lap
Having admitted to creating too many errors in the course of the Dash, Antonelli stated he was “completely satisfied” with the lap that secured him pole.
The essential effort was truly Antonelli’s first of two flying lap makes an attempt in Q3, the second of which was blown as made a mistake on the first nook.
Kimi Antonelli says he’s delighted to safe pole place in Miami after battling tough climate and wind all through the weekend.
Antonelli informed Sky Sports activities F1: “It hasn’t been straightforward this weekend – highly regarded, observe very slippery, and in addition this observe is just not straightforward to place all of the sectors collectively.
“I believe I used to be pleased with my lap. Perhaps there was just a little bit extra on the desk, however we do not know as a result of I did not even do one nook.
“I am pleased with the efficiency, particularly this weekend the place with the others bringing huge upgrades, it has been a bit harder for us, however the crew did an incredible job.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Miami GP schedule
The Miami Grand Prix is a novel expertise, watch our favorite moments from the previous couple of years!
Sunday Could 3
2.25pm: F2 Characteristic Race
4pm: Miami GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
6pm: THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
8pm: Miami GP response: Chequered Flag*
9pm: Ted’s Pocket book*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Essential Occasion
Components 1 is in Miami because the 2026 season resumes, watch dwell on Sky Sports activities F1 with Sunday’s Grand Prix at 6pm. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
