George Russell admits Kimi Antonelli outscored him in points battle

George Russell has conceded that Kimi Antonelli outscored him in the points battle, calling the deficit 'correct' after a recent Formula 1 race.

On 12 July 2026, Russell admitted Antonelli had done a better job of capitalising on opportunities during their latest battle. The admission came after Antonelli secured a higher points finish in a race where Russell narrowly missed the podium.

What happened?

Russell’s comments follow a race where he finished just outside the points, while Antonelli claimed valuable championship points. The Williams driver described the points gap as a fair reflection of their performances.

Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, has been closing in on Russell’s standings. The Italian’s recent consistency contrasts with Russell’s struggles to convert strong qualifying positions into race results.

Why it matters for George Russell

For Russell, the gap highlights a recurring issue: converting pace into points. He’s been a regular front-runner in qualifying but has often lost ground in the races. The admission suggests he’s aware of the problem but hasn’t yet found a solution.

Antonelli’s rise adds pressure on Russell, who’s fighting to keep his P3 in the drivers’ championship. The points deficit isn’t huge, but every point counts in a tight season.

What comes next?

Russell will look to bounce back at the next race. His team, Williams Racing, will aim to tighten race strategy to close the gap. Antonelli, meanwhile, will push for more podiums to extend his lead.

The next race is just days away. Both drivers will be under the spotlight as they fight for every inch of track position.