Riccardo Patrese not sure if George Russell has the mindset of a Formula 1 title contender

Russell heads into the aftermath of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix under increasing pressure from Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, who many observers believe has emerged as the team’s standout performer in 2026 despite suffering a costly retirement in Spain.

Speaking to BetBrothers, Patrese questioned Russell’s mentality and suggested the Briton’s tendency to explain poor performances rather than overcome them is holding him back: “I always say excuses go nowhere. It is no good making excuses; it won’t change anything.

"If the car goes in one way, you have to drive it and adapt to the car. If George doesn't have a good feeling with the car, then it means that from the talent point of view, he's not on the top. An outstanding driver is a driver who can optimise any situation.”

The comments come after Russell admitted earlier this season that certain circuits do not suit him, while also suggesting after Monaco that his championship hopes were effectively over. For Patrese, that is not the mindset of a title contender.

The former Williams and Benetton driver pointed to Russell’s remarks ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix as an example of the wrong approach. Patrese said: “In Canada, he said, ‘this is not my kind of race, I don't like the circuit. You cannot say a thing like that. There are 24 races in a season.

“You have to go with the same aggression at any circuit. And if you don't like it, you have to work harder to make the circuit suit you. He shouldn't really talk too much about this sort of thing because it shows a point of weakness.”

Russell currently finds himself chasing Antonelli in the championship battle after the Italian rookie's impressive start to life at Mercedes. While Antonelli failed to score in Barcelona after an engine failure, Patrese believes the momentum has shifted decisively toward the younger driver.

However, he stopped short of writing Russell off completely: “The balance of power is with Kimi Antonelli. But both drivers have the same chances within the team. Kimi blew the engine last weekend, who knows, he might blow another engine next race. And then George Russell could come back in the championship. But it won’t be easy for him.”

Patrese reserved his strongest criticism for Russell’s apparent acceptance that his title challenge may already be slipping away. With 17 races still remaining in the 2026 Formula 1 season following Barcelona, the Italian believes surrendering mentally is a far greater threat than any deficit in points.

Patrese said: “Russell has to keep focused and remind himself the season is not over yet. But the fact that he looks for excuses, the fact that after Monaco he declared that the championship was over for him, suggests his mindset is not right. There are still many races to go. He can’t give up.”

Drawing on his own experience from 256 Formula 1 starts and six Grand Prix victories, Patrese argued that the greatest champions never stop fighting regardless of the circumstances: “I never gave up in any situation. A real champion never gives up until the last metre of a race. So, I suggest George make up his mind to try harder and not to look for excuses because, I repeat, excuses get you nowhere.”

For Russell, the coming races may now be as much a test of mentality as speed. With Antonelli continuing to impress and Mercedes still searching for consistency against a resurgent Ferrari led by Lewis Hamilton, the pressure on the Briton is only increasing.