Former Formula 1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has offered a contrasting assessment of the Mercedes driver lineup, suggesting George Russell is overthinking his approach while championship leader Kimi Antonelli is performing with instinctive ease. The analysis arrives as the paddock prepares for the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring circuit in Madrid.
Montoya Analyzes Mercedes Dynamic After Monza 1-2
The Brackley-based squad celebrated a dominant 1-2 finish at the recent Italian Grand Prix. Antonelli secured a remarkable victory in front of his home crowd after starting 19th on the grid, while Russell finished second. Speaking on the F1 TV Weekend Warm-Up show, Montoya highlighted a fundamental difference in how the two drivers are extracting performance from the machinery.
“He needs to learn and understand why it works so well for Kimi,” Montoya said of Russell.
“The medium tyres were a little better than people expected on speed, especially as they got older. Actually, the speed stayed, there was really no degradation on those tyres. I think George is trying to overanalyse everything with the driving. He wants to do everything so right.
“And Kimi is letting it happen more naturally. Kimi is just going for it, and things are working out. It’s like whatever he’s doing is working, and it’s really hard to beat Kimi because he doesn’t seem to get it wrong. His wrongs end up being right.”
Antonelli’s ‘Unbeatable’ Rhythm
The Colombian seven-time race winner elaborated on the Italian rookie’s current form, describing a scenario where even errors translate into advantages.
“He goes through the gravel and he gases it and the car keeps going. He just can’t get it wrong. And when you have that, it’s really hard to beat.
“George needs to understand the way he’s managing the tyres, maybe he needs to be a little more aggressive and just keep trying. He’s got the guy there. He’s got the information. And I think it’s a good lesson for George to get himself to a better level. The speed is not the question. It’s how the execution is happening.”
Championship Standings Context
Heading into the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, the championship picture reflects Antonelli’s strong start to the season. The Mercedes rookie holds a 66-point advantage over his more experienced teammate in the drivers’ standings, underscoring the effectiveness of the natural driving style Montoya described.
