Russell needs ‘big turnaround’ to catch Antonelli, says Verstappen

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Russell heads into the 16th round of the season — which is being staged here in Malaysia as a stand-in fixture for the Manama round pulled from the calendar because of the conflict in the Middle East — 66 points adrift of Antonelli.

The British driver, 28, started the season as the world championship favourite but, after winning the opening contest in Australia, his campaign stalled as he struggled to master a car more suited to 20-year-old Antonelli’s driving style. Antonelli has won eight races to Russell’s three.

However, Russell’s dominant performance in Azerbaijan a week ago, where he led every lap from pole — after Antonelli crashed out in qualifying — has provided him with a flicker of hope that the title fight remains on.

But when assessing Russell’s championship chances, Verstappen told PA: “He [Russell] had a really good weekend in Baku, but it is still a big gap. And honestly Kimi just needs to stay close to him, and then that will be enough, even if it just one place behind.

“It is not impossible for George [to win the title], but it needs to be a big turnaround, and when it is between team-mates it is harder because you have the same car.”

Russell and Antonelli both made mistakes in their practice runs today, leaving them seventh and eighth respectively in the order.

Verstappen appears Mercedes’s biggest threat after he finished quickest in first practice, before he guarded his true pace later in the day when he elected not to set a lap on the speediest soft tyre compound.

The hot and humid conditions in Sepang will provide the drivers with possibly the fiercest physical test of the season.

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