Outside Line: The day Goerge Russell realised Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli is better than him

On Saturday at the Barcelona Catalunya Grand Prix, lost amid the headlines and jubilation of Lewis Hamilton finally winning in a Ferrari, was a hard fact for George Russell to consider: although he finished P2, he was well beaten by his teammate.

How, you say? Antonelli had a DNF. Indeed. But for me, beyond Hamilton's amazing fairy tale and his grabbing a gust of wind, was the fact that Antonelli absolutely owned Russell on the day.

I'm going to go a step further and admit I was quite surprised that the all British podium was as sullen as it was. The only guy really happy to be there was Lewis, and he seemed oblivious to the other two guys, who looked a little morose.

I would suggest Norris had his own reasons to feel that way, but this is a story about Russell. I was watching George's body language on pos t race, on thepodium. It did not signal joy. It did not signal satisfaction. It did not give me the vibe of a guy who had just grabbed 18 points from his teammate.

No, it was a guy who was shell shocked by the fact that, from pole position, he believed his only real challenge for the win was going to be Lewis Hamilton, not Antonelli. When the teenager hunted him down, outfoxed him, and took P2, he then proceeded to monster the gap in no time until that pesky Mercedes decided it had had enough.

But let's not forget that, up until that point, Antonelli had reeled-in and outclassed Russell, who simply had no answer for his teammate, despite plonking it on pole position a day earleir. Sure there will be excuses, but when you know you know.

I'll go a step further. One thing I've noticed is that when Russell chases Kimi, or Kimi chases Russell, the younger guy appears to be the more experienced driver. That was certainly the case on Sunday.

The move Kimi pulled on Russell was signed, sealed, delivered. You could attribute it to any of the top veterans in the sport at any time. Clinical and hassle free.

Therein lies the rub for Russell. He is realising that the way he is driving right now might be the only way he knows. If he is truly a great driver, he will adapt. For now his happiness was tempered by the fact that he may just not be as good as Kimi.

In my opinion, on Sunday, a top that historic all British podium he knew it. He had that realisation written all over his demeanour.