Antonelli’s mental test grows as Rosberg warns of title pressure
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 21, 2026
Antonelli’s mental test
Kimi Antonelli leads the 2026 drivers’ championship by 81 points, and Nico Rosberg says the hardest part of the run to the title will be mental. Antonelli has already won eight of the first 14 races, won the last two and keeps stretching the gap in a season that has turned quickly in his favor. He won at Monza after starting 19th because of a power unit penalty, then followed that with victory in the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring circuit in Madrid. He also took the championship lead at the Japanese Grand Prix and became the youngest driver to lead the standings. Rosberg said pressure can create a fear of mistakes and hurt performance, and he compared Antonelli’s situation to his own 2016 championship run. He also warned that the title race could get much harder if McLaren or Ferrari improve and Antonelli starts slipping back toward the pack. For now, Antonelli has answered every challenge on the track. Rosberg says the next one comes in the mind, where every decision, mistake and recovery can carry extra weight when a driver is leading the field.
Russell’s uneven form
George Russell entered the season as a title favorite, but the early edge in the championship has gone to Antonelli. Russell won in Melbourne and in the China sprint, yet his season has not matched the pace his teammate has set since then. Johnny Herbert said Russell has been “a little up and down” and has not matched Antonelli’s form. Herbert also said Russell’s inconsistency and discomfort in the Mercedes W17 have hurt his title challenge, and he said Russell has suggested the car does not suit him. That kind of problem can stall a driver fast in a championship fight. It leaves Russell chasing both results and confidence at the same time, while Antonelli keeps banking wins and widening the margin. That margin reflects more than one strong run from Antonelli. It also shows how quickly Russell’s opening momentum has faded. He still has the experience of winning races this season, but the pattern has shifted toward his teammate.
