Kimi Antonelli has stepped up his game during the 2026 season following a mixed rookie season that contained some definite highs, but also quite a few difficulties.
The worry for Russell right now is that if Antonelli is at that level—and it looks as though he has the potential to be, given his performances in only his second season—he will have his work cut out to beat him consistently in the future.
According to team assessments, George is not half a second or three tenths slower than Kimi, and engineers must work out how such a difference in driving and performance can exist.
Bearman has had a strong season and a new deal is believed to be pretty much a formality, with driver and team expressing their desire to stay together.
The Mercedes has on average been the best car, but Antonelli is the only one of the team's two drivers who has always been a factor.
Russell has fundamentally used driving style as an explanation for his relative struggles, saying the previous cars suited his preferences and the new ones suit Antonelli's.
The dominant theme of the championship centers on how much of Antonelli's success is down to driver ability, driving style, car set-up, and strategy.
George Russell has won only three races compared with Antonelli's nine, raising questions about whether the disparity stems from intelligence, ability, and determination.
Russell now needs to regroup over the winter, come back next year, and prove he can get back on to Antonelli's level.