George Russell has been told to learn key lessons after his behaviour following the Japanese Grand Prix was slammed and concerns about his mentality were raised
George Russell has been told he must learn a key lesson by a seven-time Grand Prix winner after his behaviour was slammed.
Russell was the overwhelming pre-season favourite to deliver the world title in Mercedes’ dominant car; however, 19-year-old team-mate Kimi Antonelli has shown that despite his years, he is ready to challenge the Brit for the drivers’ crown.
Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings heading to Miami, a position he has occupied for a month during the enforced break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Russell has had plenty of time, potentially too much time, to reflect on his start of the season that promised so much but has only left question marks surrounding his capabilities to be a world champion.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Russell finished fourth around Suzuka while Antonelli took the race victory. And now in Miami, the 28-year-old has been told he needs to remain calm and keep his emotions in check.
Speaking to Betpack, former F1 star Juan Pablo Montoya said: “The most interesting part of Miami is if George can bounce back. He needs to get a good result. He needs to figure out how not to get overwhelmed with bad results.
“He was frustrated in Japan when the safety car didn’t come out at the right time. But when you walk off with the helmet on and all that anger because you don’t want to talk to anybody, you just put it on a silver platter for Kimi.
“It means he is getting into George’s head and it’s really affecting him. The circumstances this season have been very good for Kimi.
“But I think if George has a clean weekend, I think George can still beat Kimi. And I think George needs to beat Kimi in a commanding manner in the next two races.
“If he can go out and beat Kimi and put him back in his place, I think it would be very good for George and George’s future in Mercedes. If not, it will just escalate.
“Jackie Stewart once told me when I was at his son Paul Stewart’s racing team, you need to learn not to go too high on the highs and not too low on the lows.
“Learning to stay, let’s call it in the zone, is important. If you don’t get too happy then the fall is not as big. If you can learn to be more neutral in your mood, that helps.
“Look at Max, Max is a lot more neutral. That makes him a lot stronger mentally.
“George should have walked out with his helmet off and go, ‘We got a tough break. I thought we had the speed to Kimi‘. No drama. The demeanour changes and people think he’s still on top of Kimi.
“I am sure he still feels that he can beat Kimi but how people perceive him is very important.
“He needs to understand that that is part of it. He might go inside and scream, but publicly you need to come out and appear like you’re on top of it.
“Toto and Christian are very good at that. Michael Schumacher played the game really well too. Lewis is the same. You don’t see emotions out of Lewis.
“That goes a long way because showing emotions sadly is just a tool for people to know that they can get under your skin.”