Antonelli Reacts to Sprint Battle With Russell
May 23, 2026
Andrea Kimi Antonelli reflected on his on-track clash with teammate George Russell during the sprint at the Canadian Grand Prix, admitting that the intense wheel-to-wheel battle ultimately pushed him beyond the track limits.
The Mercedes driver explained that he attempted an overtake while running side-by-side with Russell into the opening corner, but the contact forced him wide. Antonelli later suffered another setback after locking up in Turn 8, which allowed Lando Norris to move ahead. Despite the incidents, the Italian described the fight as competitive and closely contested, with all of the frontrunners showing very similar pace throughout the sprint.
