"He's not happy finishing behind me": Kimi Antonelli admits shift in George Russell relationship after Brazilian GP podium

Kimi Antonelli’s second F1 podium at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday hinted at a quiet change within Mercedes. The Italian finished second behind Lando Norris, while his teammate George Russell came home fourth, capping off one of the strongest weekends of the year for the Silver Arrows.

Antonelli and Russell had already shared the Sprint podium a day earlier, finishing 2-3. But the main event at Interlagos revealed a new dynamic between the pair. Reflecting on the result, Antonelli suggested that the internal competition between them is becoming more intense.

“My relationship with George is definitely changing. It’s natural that he’s not happy finishing behind me, just as I’m never happy when I’m behind,” Antonelli said (via Formula Passion). “The relationship has changed and will change, but there’s a lot of respect between us and there’s a great dynamic in the team, because we’re pushing each other.”

The Sao Paulo weekend marked Kimi Antonelli’s first Sprint podium finish and his second Grand Prix podium, after Canada. Starting in the front row alongside Lando Norris, he survived a chaotic race to secure his best result in F1 so far.

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team at Bahrain. Source: Getty

After a tense Lap 6 incident eliminated Charles Leclerc and earned Oscar Piastri a penalty, Antonelli settled into rhythm behind Norris. He managed tire wear and held his position against Max Verstappen, finishing just 0.362 seconds ahead of the Red Bull driver. George Russell praised the youngster.

“Kimi did a great job to get P2 too,” Russell said (via F1). “He’s been super quick all weekend and that’s great to see. We will be working as a pair to score as many points as possible and hopefully come out on top by the time we reach the chequered flag at Yas Marina.”

Russell endured a tougher afternoon. After losing ground in the opening laps, he clawed his way back through the pack and held the final podium place before Verstappen overtook him in the final stretch. While he settled into fourth, Antonelli’s composure under pressure ensured Mercedes took home a double top-four finish.

The result leaves the Italian just 26 points behind seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton in the standings, whom he replaced at the team.

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Mercedes tightens grip on P2 in the Constructors’ battle after Kimi Antonelli's double podium weekend

George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the Canada GP podium. Source: Getty

For Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli’s P2 and George Russell’s P4 result delivered a vital points haul, moving the team to second in the Constructors’ standings with 398 points. They sit comfortably ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari, both of whom endured difficult weekends.

Max Verstappen’s lone podium couldn’t prevent Red Bull from slipping to 366 points, while Ferrari’s double DNF dropped them to fourth with 362. With McLaren already sealing the Constructors’ title, the fight for second looks set to dominate the remaining rounds in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.

For Mercedes, the focus is now on carrying their São Paulo momentum into the season’s final triple-header.

“This weekend will definitely give us an incredible boost heading into Las Vegas, where the team was fantastic last year,” Kimi Antonelli said in the same interview. “We hope to continue to be strong. Obviously, the car has different characteristics than the 2024 one, but the DNA is very similar.”

George Russell echoed his teammate’s optimism, reinforcing the shared determination that has defined Mercedes’ late-season surge.

“Our goal for the end of the season is clear: beat Red Bull and Ferrari to P2 come Abu Dhabi,” Russell said. “This weekend has put us back in the driving seat in that battle, and hopefully we can build on it through the year-ending triple-header.”

While the internal rivalry may be quietly intensifying, it is that very competition that seems to be pulling Mercedes forward.