Mika Hakkinen reveals what George Russell must do to beat Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli

George Russell is facing a difficult battle at Mercedes as he trails Kimi Antonelli by 68 points heading into the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Russell’s season has been marked by a mix of bad luck and underwhelming results since his commanding win at the Australian season opener, while Antonelli has surged ahead with five consecutive Grand Prix victories since China. The gap has also seen Russell drop behind Lewis Hamilton to third in the Drivers’ standings after Monaco.

Former two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has suggested that Russell’s best chance of turning the situation around is not simply by driving harder, but by working smarter. Speaking to F1.com, Hakkinen said the key to success in a long season is understanding the differences in the car, working closely with engineers, and constantly adapting to ongoing development. He stressed that modern Formula 1 cars evolve throughout the year, meaning drivers must continuously refine the setup to suit their individual strengths. According to Hakkinen, the driver who works hardest with the team and makes the best use of data will ultimately come out on top.

Hakkinen drew on his own rivalry with former McLaren teammate David Coulthard to explain his point. He said that during their time together, he carefully studied Coulthard’s strengths and used technical feedback to improve his own performance in specific areas of the track. That approach, he said, was essential to gaining an advantage over a talented teammate. His message to Russell was that raw speed alone is not enough; success comes from detailed preparation, teamwork, and disciplined use of engineering information.

Despite offering advice for Russell, Hakkinen also praised Antonelli’s early F1 form and his attitude within the Mercedes team. He described the Italian as a positive presence in the garage who greets everyone with a smile and brings energy to the entire operation. Hakkinen said that in a sport as physically and mentally demanding as Formula 1, a driver who supports morale and respects everyone in the team can make a major difference. He added that Antonelli’s professionalism, combined with his natural talent, makes him an important figure for Mercedes.

Hakkinen acknowledged that Antonelli, like any top driver, will complain about the car when needed, but said honesty and communication are essential. He believes Antonelli is doing excellent work and has already shown the qualities of a strong team leader. The Finn’s comments underline both the challenge facing Russell and the growing reputation of Antonelli, whose strong performances and positive approach have made him one of Mercedes’ brightest assets this season.