(GMM) Kimi Antonelli (pictured) has brushed aside George Russell\u2019s latest suggestion that the Formula 1 title is now his \u201cto lose\u201d.<\/p>\n
The 19-year-old Italian arrives in Monaco with a commanding championship lead after four consecutive victories, while teammate Russell suffered a crushing retirement from the lead in Montreal.<\/p>\n
Before leaving Canada, Russell declared the title fight was now Antonelli\u2019s responsibility to throw away.<\/p>\n
And now, he repeated the claim in Monaco: \u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve got anything to lose,\u201d Russell said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I look at it from my competitor\u2019s position, you\u2019re in a position now that you\u2019ve got such a buffer, it feels like you can only keep it or you can only lose it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s his to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked about those remarks by the Italian press, Antonelli smiled.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course I heard about that,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I did, I smiled. Talking about these things so early makes no sense.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd how can you lose something you haven\u2019t won yet?\u201d<\/p>\n
Antonelli made clear he viewed the comments as an attempt to mound pressure onto his shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cGeorge certainly wanted to put me under pressure, but I let it slide off me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI go to the track to win every race. There will be times when I\u2019ll have to settle, but the truth is I have nothing to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll race the same way I always enjoy it, and then we\u2019ll see where we end up.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments come as attention increasingly focuses on how Antonelli is handling life at the top of Formula 1 at such a young age. The Italian admitted he works with a mental coach to help navigate the growing scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving someone to talk to in your private space is important,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo judgment, just a listening ear. For me, at 19, it\u2019s sometimes difficult to deal with certain situations with people who aren\u2019t close to me.\u201d<\/p>\n