Norris: Antonelli is two levels above Russell

World champion Lando Norris said Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli has done an excellent job this season and has performed two levels above George Russell. Norris said he found the performance the Italian driver has shown in his second F1 season very impressive.

Antonelli, who holds a 102-point lead at the top of the standings with six races left, has almost secured the championship. The 20-year-old could become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport if he wins this Sunday's United States Grand Prix and Russell and Lewis Hamilton fail to score enough points.

Norris, who won his first championship last year with McLaren, praised Antonelli's development against a rival as "very good" as Russell. According to Norris, Antonelli has done very well at extracting more from the car compared with last season and at understanding this year's car.

Whether Kimi Antonelli can clinch the world championship in Austin will depend on the outcome of the Grand Prix and the points standings of his rivals. Sunday's race will determine whether the Italian driver makes history.