George Russell is at risk of losing P2 in the drivers’ championship in 2026, with former teammate Lewis Hamilton sitting just a point behind.

Only nine points separate Russell in second and Charles Leclerc in third, with Max Verstappen in fourth. It has been a nightmare season for the Brit, as he has been dominated by Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli.

While the Italian could win the title in Mexico, Russell looks lost with the W17 and the new regulations. He is struggling to get the most out of the car, and it has only got worse, as Antonelli beat him by 54 seconds at the last race in Austin.

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Juan Pablo Montoya says George Russell needs to push Mercedes like Lewis Hamilton is doing to Ferrari

Russell now has Hamilton breathing down his neck for P2 in the standings. It has not been plain sailing for the seven-time champion either in 2026.

Since his win in Barcelona, the 41-year-old has been back on the podium just twice. Hamilton has heavily criticised Ferrari’s engine for its lack of power, even theorising that their rivals are hiding something before Q3.

Furthermore, many suspect Hamilton is not trusting Ferrari after he went against the pit wall’s instructions in Malaysia and Singapore. The defiance may hint at friction between the two parties, but Juan Pablo Montoya sees it as a way of building the team up.

The former F1 driver thinks Hamilton’s approach is to get the most out of the team, and he wonders if Russell should be doing the same at Mercedes.

Talking about Ferrari’s potential in Mexico, he told F1TV: “I think it’s going to be a really good place for them again. I think they’re going to be really competitive.

“The type of track is a track that you need a lot of change of direction, a lot of stability in the car, and the Ferrari is very good at that. So we need to see if they can put it together all weekend.

“What you see Lewis do, and people say the confidence between the team, because he questions a lot of things.

How much is riding on the close battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari?

‘Sometimes I wonder if George needs to push that a little more, because at the end of the day, you push it but you’re not trying to harm the relationship. You’re trying to build it and get more out of people.”

Toto Wolff has blamed the W17’s narrow window for Russell’s deficit to Antonelli. But that should give the Brit every reason to push the Silver Arrows, as this has been a persistent problem throughout the season.

Furthermore, his teammate has adapted to the car and new rules seamlessly, and is on the verge of winning the title. Russell not only needs to understand the regulations, but he also needs to put pressure on his team to get him comfortable.