George Russell has conceded that the Formula One drivers' championship is now 'out of reach' after a series of setbacks left him 68 points behind his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. The 28-year-old Briton insists the pressure is off as he prepares for Sunday's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, the seventh round of the season.
Antonelli, 19, has won five consecutive races to establish a firm grip on the championship, while Lewis Hamilton has moved into second for Ferrari. Russell's latest misfortune came in Monaco, where he was penalised for speeding in the pit lane and later received a drive-through penalty after an incorrect observation of his initial five-second sanction. He finished 12th as Antonelli extended his lead.
'The pressure feels off,' Russell said on Thursday. 'I'm going to try to enjoy every race, not even think about the championship: it's so far out of reach. It's just going to enjoy the races and have fun, drive fast and do what I know I'm capable of doing.'
Russell has endured a frustrating season, including a battery failure while leading the Canadian Grand Prix and costly bad luck in China and Japan. He believes he could have had three more podiums and possibly two wins without these issues. 'I can't do anything about the engine breaking down, I can't do anything about a bad safety car timing or this pit lane infringement situation. That is out of my control,' he added.
Meanwhile, Alpine have appealed against Pierre Gasly's pit lane speeding penalty in Monaco, which cost him a podium finish. The FIA has ruled two elements of their case admissible, with a final decision expected on Friday. Gasly described losing third place as 'the hardest day I've had in F1 and in my sport career'.
In other news, the FIA has confirmed that Pirelli will remain Formula One's sole tyre supplier until 2028.
