That said, the internal hierarchy at Mercedes might already be settled for the foreseeable future. According to Motorsport.com Deutschland, Ralf Schumacher believes that George Russell will not stand a chance against the newly crowned world champion Kimi Antonelli internally in the coming years.
George Russell entered the 2026 Formula 1 season carrying the weight of a major title favorite. The disappointment must have hit hard when it was not him taking the crown with four races to spare, but rather his Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli. While Russell had the upper hand over Antonelli during the rookie's 2025 debut season, the dynamic completely flipped under the new regulations this year.
Speaking on the Sky podcast Backstage Boxengasse, Schumacher declared that the battle is essentially over. He explained that Russell will only realistically have an opening against his teammate internally if Antonelli somehow struggles to adapt to the new car package. Freed from the heavy burden of chasing a first crown, the Italian driver will likely operate with significantly less pressure next season.
That leaves Russell facing a much harsher reality and the threat of turning into a supporting player. Schumacher delivered a blunt assessment with a smile, suggesting that Russell is at risk of becoming "the Barrichello for Kimi Antonelli." The comparison nods to Rubens Barrichello's famous years with Ferrari from 2000 to 2005, where he cemented a reputation as a definitive number-two driver while Michael Schumacher claimed five consecutive titles for the Scuderia.
Escaping that fate will take a mountain of labor for Russell, who must hope the upcoming Mercedes machine suits his driving style better and helps wash away his current struggles. Otherwise, the outlook appears bleak. To make matters worse, Russell is currently in danger of missing out even on the runner-up spot in the championship behind his teammate, sitting 17 points behind Max Verstappen with three races remaining.
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