George Russell received important support amid the pressure moment experienced at Mercedes in the 2026 Formula 1 season. The former driver and 2009 F1 champion, Jenson Button, stated he believes the Briton will be able to react to the growing internal battle with Kimi Antonelli.
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The young Italian is going through a great phase and has beaten Russell in the last three GPs of the season. In addition, Antonelli opened a twenty-point lead in the drivers’ championship, a scenario that further increased the pressure on the more experienced teammate.
At the start of the championship, Russell was considered one of the favorites for the title due to his accumulated experience and also because of the superior performance shown over Antonelli during the 2025 season. However, the first months of 2026 showed a different scenario within Mercedes.
At nineteen years old, Antonelli managed to start the year more consistently and competitively. For Button, the situation represents an important mental challenge for Russell, who now occupies the position of the team’s main reference after Lewis Hamilton’s departure: “It’s hard when your younger teammate is so fast and consistent. When he raced alongside Lewis (Hamilton), he could look at him and think: ‘If I beat him, great’,” Button told Sky F1.
The former driver believes the internal dynamic has completely changed for Russell this season: “Now it must feel like he needs to beat Kimi in every race. He is the more experienced driver. He should be the one ready to fight for the world championship,” he added.
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Button also highlighted the impact of seeing such a young rookie leading the internal confrontation within the German team: “He has this nineteen-year-old kid beating him,” the Briton commented about the moment experienced by the Mercedes driver.
Despite this, the 2009 champion showed confidence in Russell’s recovery throughout the upcoming Formula 1 stages. The next challenge of the season will be the Canadian GP, a track where the Briton achieved one of his two wins in 2025.
Russell arrives at the stage trying to reduce the gap to Antonelli in the championship. Even in the face of the recent negative streak, Button believes the Briton still has the ability to react: “We all know George very well, and he is confident. I wouldn’t worry too much, I think he will face Kimi,” he concluded.
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