George Russell has revealed a key setup change inspired by Kimi Antonelli that significantly improved his performance in the closing stages of the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver struggled for pace through much of the race but made crucial adjustments to differential settings and brake bias in the final 10 laps. These changes enhanced rear stability under acceleration and improved braking control, both critical factors on the demanding Miami circuit.
From a technical perspective, differential settings influence torque distribution across the rear axle, while brake bias determines the balance between front and rear braking forces. Aligning more closely with Antonelli’s setup allowed Russell to optimise mechanical grip and reduce earlier understeer limitations.
The improvement was immediately evident, as Russell closed in on and overtook Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc late in the race to secure fourth place. Antonelli, meanwhile, maintained control to take victory and strengthen his lead in the championship standings.
“It was a difficult race. The hard tyre just didn’t work. I had some ideas, and in the last 10 laps we made quite big changes to the differentials and brake bias,” Russell said.
“It was much closer to what Kimi has been running all weekend, and it made a bigger impact than I expected.”
Despite the late improvement, Russell acknowledged the overall weekend remained below expectations. The Miami circuit’s emphasis on rear stability and tyre efficiency posed challenges for Mercedes relative to its direct rivals.
With a growing points gap to Antonelli, the result adds pressure in the championship battle. Mercedes will now focus on setup optimisation and circuit adaptation ahead of the next round, where consistency will be key to maintaining competitiveness.
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