Former F1 champion Hakkinen reveals the secret of what Russell needs to do to beat Antonelli

George Russell currently sits 68 points adrift of Kimi Antonelli heading into the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, following a tough run of races for the Briton. But former two-time champion Mika Hakkinen has revealed what he believes is the secret for Russell to beat his Italian team mate.

A mixture of ill fortune and some low-key performances from Russell since his dominant win at the Australian season opener has contrasted with Antonelli winning every Grand Prix since China – that’s five on the bounce – with Russell even falling behind Lewis Hamilton to third in the Drivers’ standings after the most recent outing in Monaco.

Speaking exclusively to F1.com, 1998 and 1999 World Champion Hakkinen conceded: “George... If I were in his position, it would be really tough. It would be really, really hard. It doesn't mean you give up. It's just purely understanding the differences in a car.

“George is a great guy. A great personality also – I like him a lot. He's a great racing driver. But I got the feeling early this year that he was extremely confident. He felt a little bit overconfident – and George, if you ever [read] this interview, don't take it personally, it's just an opinion! But like I said, George is a great racing driver.

“But this season is going to be really long. There are so many races ahead of them. It's going to be big challenges coming. The teams are constantly developing the racing car.

“When you start a season with this car, at the end of the season, maybe 80% of the car is different. So drivers have to work all the time with the engineers and the simulators to develop the car that fits you and suits you the best.

“Now it's a question about which driver will work the hardest. And this driver will win.”

While Hakkinen won his two championships partly by outgunning McLaren team mate David Coulthard – himself a 13-time Grand Prix winner – the Finn admitted that he’d made a conscious effort to study Coulthard’s strengths so that he could quash any of the Scotsman’s advantage.

And it was this tactic Hakkinen recommended Russell adopting if he was to beat Antonelli in 2026.

“When I was racing with David Coulthard, I recognised his strengths,” said Hakkinen. “So I started studying his strengths and learning with the data engineers how I can adapt his performance in certain areas in a racetrack. And I did it.

“Did he adapt to my strengths? I never asked him. Maybe I will ask him [the next time] I see him!

“[But homework] that's what it is all about. If you're a talented driver and you just believe, ‘I’ll just put my foot down and brake later [to beat my rival]’ – no, come on! It's purely homework, dedication for data and asking the engineers the right questions.”

Despite Hakkinen’s words of advice for Russell, the Flying Finn admitted that he’d been impressed by Antonelli’s start to life in Formula 1 in the past two seasons – starting with the Italian’s respect for the elder statespeople of the sport.

“Every time when I see him, he's coming to see me – he's respecting a two-time World Champion” said Hakkinen. “Every time, a very positive and a happy guy.

“I can see he's a great team player. Formula 1 is such a tough sport. Not just because of driving, but the constant travelling for the whole team, for the catering, for the mechanics, engineers, designers, management. These people are sacrificing their private lives. They are sometimes completely knackered!

“So when you have a driver who comes in a garage with a big smile, saying hello to everybody, it gives people so much positive energy.

“That is one of the reasons why this great talent can lead the team… Does he complain? Of course he complains! It's a part of this journey. You should never be happy about your car. But you have to be honest with your thoughts and your mind. I think he's doing great work with Mercedes.”