Antonelli narrows the gap on Russell as Italian media raises important inquiries.

      "The team advised us not to fool around."

      Pressure is increasing on championship leader George Russell at Mercedes as his teammate Kimi Antonelli experiences a swift ascent in the early part of 2026. Following his standout victory in China, the 19-year-old achieved a second consecutive pole position and win at Suzuka, prompting La Gazzetta dello Sport to question: "Has Russell's time at the top ended?"

      Russell, who had led the championship by 4 points before Sunday’s race, now finds himself trailing by 9 points. He was competitive in qualifying but expressed dissatisfaction with the car's balance.

      "We made a minor adjustment to the rear before qualifying. It was really just a small thing," he stated. "Then when I went out, it felt like something was broken at the back."

      Team principal Toto Wolff downplayed the situation as a setup error, but within the dominant team, the attention is increasingly shifting to the internal rivalry.

      "The team cautioned us not to do anything reckless," Antonelli disclosed, as Mercedes remains cautious of any potential clashes between its two title aspirants.

      The Italian, however, is clearly welcoming the challenge. "Compared to last year, I already feel like a different person because of the experience I’ve gained," he remarked. "Ultimately, we’re the only two driving the same car, so it could turn into a rivalry between us. I’ll prepare myself in every way, including any mental tactics. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I want to seize it."

      At the same time, Antonelli expressed a more measured view regarding Russell’s abilities. "We have identical cars. He’s stronger than me in the high-speed corners, but for the team, the key is to secure significant points," he added.