Russell delivered the compliment in Baku, ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, and he tied it directly to the technical revolution the sport is living through in 2026.
“I think his driving style is very similar to what he had last year and I think with just how things have fallen this year, it’s kind of the perfect driving style for these cars,” Russell told RaceFans.
The praise is striking because Russell is not talking about a junior driver he is bringing along. He is talking about the man who has kept him locked in second place all season.
Why 2026 rewards Antonelli’s feel
This year’s cars are a different machine. The FIA’s rules package has cut the minimum weight to 768kg, down from 800kg, narrowed the tyres by 25mm at the front and 30mm at the rear, and introduced full-time active aerodynamics that flip between a low-drag “Straight Mode” on the straights and a high-downforce “Corner Mode” through the turns.
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The net effect is a nimbler, less planted car that rewards a lighter, more adaptable style behind the wheel. In Russell’s reading, that is exactly what Antonelli offers.
“He’s an amazing driver and he was of course doing extremely well last year as well,” Russell added. “Let’s see next year if it changes or not, but certainly his natural driving style suits very well for this regulation.”
An 81-point gap and the Norris parallel
Antonelli sits on 292 points to Russell’s 211 after 14 rounds, according to Formula 1’s own permutations breakdown, with Lewis Hamilton a further 20 points back in third and reigning champion Lando Norris fourth.
Russell drew a specific parallel to Norris, who has traditionally shone on circuits with less mechanical grip. Both drivers, he argued, are cut from the same cloth.
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“If you look last year, there are definitely trends. If you look at Brazil last year, Kimi had a really strong race and Lando won in Brazil, and they’re two drivers who are always very strong on the low grip tracks and they’re two drivers who are arguably the best-performing drivers of this season,” Russell said.
The compliment came with a softer wrapper of context around Antonelli’s raw ability.
“Of course Kimi is extremely talented. He’s an incredible driver and has been fast in his whole career,” Russell added.
Baku is not the coronation
Antonelli cannot mathematically win the title in Baku or at the following round, and the earliest realistic clinch scenario is Mexico in round 19, based on median finish projections.
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The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself is being run on Saturday 26 September rather than the traditional Sunday, because Sunday 27 September is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. Lights out is at 3pm local time (12pm UK).
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