When a teammate wins three races before the season hits its midpoint, questions are bound to surface. That's exactly the situation facing George Russell at Mercedes after the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, where 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli stormed to his third victory of the year—leaving the more experienced Russell in his dust.

On a recent episode of The Chequered Flag podcast, former Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill didn't mince words about Russell's recent performances. "He's gone missing," Hill said bluntly, questioning whether the British driver's mindset is where it needs to be at this critical juncture of the season. Joining him on the podcast was ex-McLaren and Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who added his own perspective on the growing intra-team dynamic at Mercedes.

The Miami weekend was supposed to be a showcase for the Silver Arrows, but instead it highlighted a worrying trend: while Antonelli continues to adapt and thrive under pressure, Russell seems to be struggling to find his rhythm. For a driver who once challenged for race wins and was touted as a future champion, these early-season struggles raise legitimate concerns about his psychological approach behind the wheel.

In the high-stakes world of Formula 1, where mental fortitude is just as important as horsepower, Russell will need to rediscover his edge—and fast—if he hopes to close the gap to his teenage teammate. After all, in motorsport, confidence can be as fleeting as a pit stop. And right now, Mercedes fans are hoping their veteran driver hasn't left his in the garage.