Russell ready to fight back as Antonelli chases four in a row

May 20 : George Russell has a perfect opportunity to regain momentum and change the narrative in Canada this weekend after three straight wins for Mercedes teammate and Formula One leader Kimi Antonelli.

Russell, the pre-season bookmakers' favourite, won the opener in Australia but the Briton is now 20 points behind the 19-year-old Italian and needing to show who he is and what he can do.

He could do with better luck, but a commanding performance in Montreal would put the doubters back in their box. Anything less and the chatter will only grow louder.

"The George from last year, I think he’s gone missing a little bit," compatriot and 1996 champion Damon Hill said after Russell finished fourth - for the second race in a row - in Miami.

The Canadian Grand Prix is for the first time a sprint weekend, the third of the season, which gives Russell even more of a chance to close the gap at a track where he has bagged some big points in the past.

WON FROM POLE POSITION WITH FASTEST LAP 

Last year the 28-year-old won from pole position with fastest lap while then-rookie Antonelli, now the favourite for the title in the betting odds, stood on the podium for the first time in his F1 career.

The year before, Russell also started on pole but ended up third.

Mercedes, yet to be beaten this season, are bringing their first upgrade package to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve after rivals McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull did so in Miami and moved closer in performance.

Weather is always a factor in Canada, and temperatures could be slightly cooler than in the past due to the race taking up an earlier slot on the calendar - now round five instead of round 10.

The track should still be more to Russell's liking than Miami but if Antonelli can make it four