Monaco Grand Prix: George Russell perplexed by struggles compared with Kimi Antonelli
Russell said he believed the problem lay in driving styles and how this affected whether the tires were at the ideal temperature for qualifying.
“There’s clearly a difference in driving style between the two of us, which was there last year as well, but last year was really good for me,” Russell said. he said.
“And it’s clearly worked out for him this year, but that still doesn’t explain why I was so good at the beginning of the year and so bad now. So we need to look at why that’s the case. It’s clear in the data.”
“The difference is that the way we ride has a big impact on the tyres. He just keeps them in better spacing than I do, keeps better balance throughout the lap and the pace is getting easier for him. I don’t know why that is.”
“I’ve driven this way my whole career and now, for whatever reason, it just doesn’t work with this car.
“Last year’s car, Kimi, was trying to get in my way and it wasn’t working for him either.
“It’s not an excuse, it’s just a fact and I either need to work with the team to adjust my driving to compensate for these new tyres, these new cars, or I need to find a different setting that works for me.”
Qualifying results were particularly demoralizing for Russell, who took pole position at the last race in Canada, for two different reasons.
Monaco has a special status as a circuit where driving ability can make the difference and it needs to advance in the championship.
Starting sixth at a circuit where overtaking is expected to be almost impossible, even given the increased amount of overtaking with the new cars introduced this year, means his chances of moving up the field are remote.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told Sky Sports: “George is very tough and resilient. In a few races luck was against him because he wasn’t on his side or wasn’t there at the right time. I don’t think it’s a psychological aspect here, he just didn’t have any confidence in the car.”
“Qualifying started badly. Once you start falling behind and losing confidence, it’s extremely difficult to catch up again and I think it would have taken another session and he would have been there but he didn’t have any control.”
As for Antonelli’s performance and a new high for the Italian, Wolff said: “He’s got good momentum behind him. He’s so young, there’s still an ease that he has. When you have that kind of positivity, these things can happen.”
