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Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark

The contrast between the Mercedes drivers - and supposed title rivals - after the Monaco Grand Prix could hardly have been more stark. Kimi Antonelli, who had driven a perfect weekend to deliver a fifth consecutive win in utterly dominant style, talked about it being "an incredi

Antonelli-Russell contrast could hardly be more stark
BBC Sport — 7 June 2026
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The contrast between the Mercedes drivers - and supposed title rivals - after the Monaco Grand Prix could hardly have been more stark.

Kimi Antonelli, who had driven a perfect weekend to deliver a fifth consecutive win in utterly dominant style, talked about it being "an incredible moment to live".

His team-mate George Russell, who finished 13th after a day to forget for reasons largely out of his control, said he was "beyond frustration" and "in a state of struggling to comprehend what is going on".

Antonelli, 19, heads to the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix next weekend with a championship lead of 66 points - a remarkable gap after just six races. And it's not even over Russell, who has been leapfrogged by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Russell is a further two points behind.

For Antonelli, the superlatives just keep on coming. And in a season of something close to perfection, this was arguably his best performance yet.

Ferrari went to Monaco as favourites but their fastest car was only third on the grid. They were beaten by both Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Antonelli, and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff described the lap with which the Italian beat the four-time champion as "unbelievable".

This was another test for Antonelli. Pole position was one thing, but he had lost positions at every single start this year, and he knew if he did so again here in Monaco, the win would likely be gone.

He was helped by the engine problems that stopped Verstappen and ended his race, but having converted his pole into a lead over Hamilton, Antonelli was in a league of his own.

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". His team-mate George Russell, who finished 13th after a day to forget for reasons largely out of his control, said he was "
— BBC Sport
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