George Russell has admitted that everything seems to be going against him after Kimi Antonelli moved into the lead of the Formula 1 world championship with victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Italian teenager claimed his second consecutive win after a safety car period triggered by Ollie Bearman's crash at 191mph allowed him a free pit stop in Suzuka.
The timing of the safety car derailed Russell's race, dropping him from second to third, before a battery problem allowed Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to pass. Russell recovered to finish fourth, but now trails Mercedes team-mate Antonelli by nine points in the standings. The result follows a qualifying breakdown in China two weeks ago that handed Antonelli a clear run to pole and his maiden win.
Russell, who started the season with victory in Melbourne, said: 'At the moment, it is just one thing after the other. Racing can go for you, but it can also go against you too, and at the moment, every issue we are having is on my side of the garage and I am the one going through that pain.' He added that he is not concerned, calling it 'the luck of the draw' and noting that it is only race three of 22.
Antonelli, in his second season, has emerged as a serious championship contender after winning back-to-back races. He became the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953 to achieve the feat and the first teenager to lead the title race. 'I'm not thinking too much about the championship,' Antonelli said. 'We need to keep raising the bar because George is very quick.'
Mercedes have won all three races this season, with Russell and Antonelli sharing the victories. Russell remains confident he can bounce back, stating: 'If the safety car came out one lap earlier today, the victory would have been on my side.' The championship now takes a four-week break before the next race.
