Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the team will discuss how Kimi Antonelli and George Russell race each other going forward due to the possible championship threat from Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes’ drivers engaged in a mid-race battle for the lead at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix but lost time doing so to eventual race winner Hamilton, who was charging on new tyres behind them after a second pit stop. Hamilton went on to deliver Mercedes’ first race-day defeat of the season and, with Antonelli retiring late on
when running in second, the Ferrari driver cut the Italian’s title lead 41 points and increased his own buffer over Russell to nine points. Sky Sports F1’s Austrian GP schedule | What’s behind Lewis Hamilton’s resurgence?F1 2026 standings | F1 2026 Calendar | F1 Gossip ColumnDownload the Sky Sports app for expert analysis, best video & more📱Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW📺 On his drivers’ mid-race scrap in Barcelona, Wolff said: “We didn’t interfere in them fighting, because
that’s how we’ve always raced. “But it’s a situation we need to look into for the future, with both drivers, how to handle a situation where there’s a pace differential if we are fighting for a victory or [we are at] the risk of losing a victory. “And that’s going to be an interesting discussion, but always totally transparent to the best interest of the team.” It was not the first time this season that Russell and Antonelli had duelled over a race lead. Their
most dramatic battles so far came in Canada last month, when they went wheel-to-wheel and almost collided in both the Sprint and Grand Prix. Speaking ahead of the following race in Monaco, Antonelli said the team were happy for them to race “each other freely as long as there’s respect” without the need for overly-prescripted rules. Wolff said the increased threat from Ferrari and Hamilton could just require a recalibration for occasions when the team’s overall chances were at risk. “There is a third party
now getting involved in the championship fight, constructor and driver,” added the Mercedes team principal. “And in that respect, we will discuss internally with the two drivers how we want to handle a situation where we risk holding each other up. “I think it’s not going to be a problem. It’s just maybe we need to recalibrate.” ‘If he smells blood, he goes’ – Wolff wary of a title-chasing Hamilton While leaders Mercedes remain favourites for both world championship crowns, Hamilton’s season has gained impressive
momentum in recent weeks with the seven-time world champion’s maiden Grand Prix victory for Ferrari in Spain coming hot on the heels of consecutive second-place finishes. The spectre of Hamilton challenging for a record eighth world title has therefore grown significantly and Wolff, who was team boss at Mercedes for six of the Briton’s championship triumphs, is wary of how his former driver can feed off such momentum. “I’d rather not fight with him for a title because I know what he’s capable of,” said
Wolff. “If he smells blood, he goes [for it]. “I’ve seen it many years where suddenly the Lewis Hamilton train started to go and then it’s very difficult to stop it.” ‘We will really see what Russell and Antonelli are made of – Villeneuve on title race Sky Sports F1’s Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 world champion, speaking on The F1 Show podcast: “We thought it would be an intra-team title battle. Ferrari was there but behind and never close enough to give Mercedes a hard
time – maybe for a few laps at the start of a race but then they would go backwards. “But now it looks like Ferrari, mainly with Lewis but Leclerc will be in the fight as well, they will give a hard time to Mercedes. “That will put Mercedes under pressure and their drivers under pressure. Then we will really see what Russell and Antonelli are made of when the driver they are fighting against is not their team-mate. “You don’t have the data, you
don’t know what’s happening at the other team. That creates a different kind of stress. “When it’s your team-mate, you know how hard you can fight, or not, and what setup they have.” Sky Sports F1’s Austrian GP schedule Thursday June 252pm: Drivers’ press conference5pm: Paddock Uncut Friday June 268.50am: F3 Practice10am: F2 Practice12pm: Austrian GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)1.55pm: F3 Qualifying2.30pm: Team bosses’ press conference2.50pm: F2 Qualifying3.35pm: Austrian GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)5.15pm: The F1 Show Saturday June 279am: F3
Sprint11.15am: Austrian GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)1.10pm: F2 Sprint2.15pm: Austrian GP Qualifying build-up*3pm: AUSTRIAN GP QUALIFYING*5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook Sunday June 287.35am: F3 Feature Race9.05am: F2 Feature Race10.50am: Porsche Supercup12.30pm: Austrian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*2pm: THE AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX*4pm: Austrian GP reaction: Chequered Flag5pm: Ted’s Notebook *Also on Sky Sports Main Event Formula 1’s European season continues with the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
Mercedes, Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Austrian Grand Prix schedule, Monaco, F1 2026 standings, title fight
So basically they’re scared Hamilton might catch up again? lol
I don’t get why they always make it a whole “team rules” thing. If they’re fighting for the lead let them. Sounds like Russell and Antonelli messed up and Hamilton just benefitted.
Wait Antonelli retired late while running second?? That’s wild. I thought Mercedes would’ve told them to back off when Hamilton was on new tires, like literally common sense. But then they say “totally transparent” which means nothing to me.
Mercedes weighing racing rules… this is gonna be one of those things where they say they’re transparent but then secretly order people not to pass. Also why is it Hamilton threat like he’s the only one in the field, Monaco is gonna be chaos anyway.