Marko anticipates friction within Mercedes regarding Antonelli's challenge for the championship.
"Russell is certainly the more seasoned driver."
Former Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko foresees growing tension at Mercedes due to championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s impressive start to 2026. "The title will probably be decided among the Mercedes drivers," Marko stated on ORF. "There will be friction within the team." The Austrian noted that Antonelli's early performances have been remarkable but cautioned that the real challenges are yet to come. "His situation is very promising. He was exceptionally fast in the junior series, and it’s fantastic to see a young driver making an impact," he remarked. "The question is whether he can sustain that speed throughout the season." Marko also highlighted the importance of teammate George Russell's experience in the internal team rivalry. "Russell is certainly the more seasoned driver," he mentioned. "Last year, when racing moved to Europe, Antonelli experienced a significant downturn."
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