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George Russell said Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli didn’t need “validation” of his ability after leading so far this season before claiming pole position for the Canadian Grand Prix sprint.
Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, only for Antonelli to win three in a row in China, Japan and Miami, to open up a 20-point lead over the Briton at the top of the Drivers’ Championship.
Russell – who finished fourth in Florida last time out – edged the young Italian by 0.068s in Montreal on Friday as Mercedes sealed a one-two in sprint qualifying.
He later said: “I’ve been in the sport for seven years and the trend has been there for seven years.
“It’s just you guys looking at it now because I’m fighting for a win and a championship. I didn’t need that validation.
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See how Gilles Villeneuve took sprint pole position at the Russell Circuit
“Maybe if we had (cancelled races) between Miami (and Japan) in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and they were good races like Melbourne and China, the conversation wouldn’t even be there.
“It feels great after a tough Miami but I never doubted myself. I know what I can do. Miami is unique but it’s an amazing circuit with high grip.
“It looks like you’re driving a proper F1 car here, as it should be.”
Wolff: It’s good for both drivers to fight this way
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff insisted he “never doubted” Russell, who claimed victory at the Canadian Grand Prix a year ago, and believes his internal battle with Antonelli can only benefit the Silver Arrows.
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Full highlights of sprint qualifying in Montreal as Russell and Kimi Antonelli claimed a Mercedes one-two ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre.
Wolff added: “It’s only a baby race but it’s good to see (Russell) still have the pace for confidence. But I never doubted it, we never doubted it. Miami was a bad track.
“It’s always clear that (Antonelli) is fast and he showed it. I think it’s good for both drivers to fight like that. It makes the team faster, and there’s not much to it.”
of Sky Sports F1 Jamie Chadwick added: “I think George needs to be comfortable being uncomfortable this year, because Kimmy will be at his heels all year.
“There’s no doubt about it. Kimi is going to be fast at times, and I think Jorge is still not used to it.
“He has to get used to that feeling, and then I think he can find confidence in his own driving like he did today, which was a very strong performance.”
George is very experienced. He is waiting for the moment for a car that can bring him his first drivers’ championship. He could feel it in his hand. He is relentless, consistent and has made very few mistakes over many seasons which will be his strength over Antonelli.
Antonelli laments ‘mistake’ as upgrades ‘give Mercedes edge’
Antonelli, meanwhile, was disappointed by his “mistake” in the late stages of sprint qualifying as he had to settle for second place, but praised the upgrade which appears to have given Mercedes a bigger advantage over their rivals.
He said: “The good was pretty bad, to be fair. It wasn’t clear at all. I made a mistake and it threw me off a bit.
“I then decided to do a lap on soft tires without preparation. The tires were a bit cold. But still P2, so the potential is definitely there.
“We’ve brought in upgrades so we still need to understand the package a bit more as the balance changes. But it seems to have given us a bit of an edge again.”
Russell had a strong start to the weekend in Montreal
Russell will now be looking for his second sprint win of the campaign – the 28-year-old won in China before McLaren’s Lando Norris won in Miami – and is “hoping for the best” at the start, an area that has been Mercedes’ biggest weakness so far this season.
The Mercedes driver added: “At this point, for us, getting off the line is a bit like flipping a coin and hoping for the best.
“We’re taking baby steps in that regard, but we’re a long way from where we need to be. McLaren is behind us, they’re starting fast, Lewis Hamilton too.”
“I’m enjoying the moment and will try to carry confidence.”
Sky Sports F1’s Canadian GP schedule
Saturday 23 May
2.40pm: F1 Academy Race 1
4pm: Canadian GP sprint build-up
5pm: Canadian GP Sprint
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
7pm: F2 Sprint*
8.10pm: Canadian GP Qualifying Build Up*
9pm: Canadian GP Qualifying*
11pm: F1 Academy Race 2*
11.45pm: Ted’s Qualifications Notebook*
Sunday 24 May
3.40pm: F1 Academy Race 3
5pm: F2 Feature Race
7.30pm: Canadian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: Canadian Grand Prix*
11am: Canadian GP reaction: Checkered flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports main events
Formula 1 is in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1, Sunday’s race at 9pm. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
