Antonelli starts ahead of Russell with a 66-point lead

Kimi Antonelli missed pole by 0.011s, but second place again puts him ahead of George Russell in the Mercedes duel. Russell qualified only sixth, 0.325s behind Norris and behind Verstappen and both Ferraris. In the championship Antonelli leads 267 to 201, a 66-point margin before the race.

Russell therefore has to work through a tightly packed group if he wants to stop his team-mate extending that lead. Antonelli is not limited to a defensive race, though: from the front row he can fight for victory while carrying a comfortable points cushion. Mercedes’ main task will be to avoid an internal strategy costing either driver unnecessary points.