Wolff warns Mercedes may turn Antonelli-Russell battles 'down a notch'

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has warned that the team may rein in the intense battles between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell if they continue to flirt with disaster. The pair entertained fans at the Canadian Grand Prix with wheel-to-wheel action, but Wolff admitted the contact and near-misses were too close for comfort.

Why it matters:

• Mercedes' intra-team fight is heating up as Antonelli and Russell push for supremacy, but Wolff is balancing entertainment against risk. With the team now pulling away from rivals, a single mistake could cost valuable points—and potentially a championship.
• The dynamic echoes earlier eras of team orders, but Wolff wants to avoid heavy-handed intervention unless absolutely necessary.

The details:

• In the Canadian GP, Antonelli and Russell battled for the lead until Russell's power unit failure ended the duel on lap 30. The fight followed a tense Sprint where Antonelli was unhappy with Russell's defence.
• Close calls: Antonelli nearly rear-ended Russell, and the pair touched wheels at the final chicane. Wolff noted that a small mistake could have caused a double DNF.
• Pace advantage: While fighting, Mercedes was losing up to a second per lap to rivals, though they had enough margin in Canada. Wolff warned that won't always be the case.
• Radio discipline: Wolff was not fully satisfied with emotional radio comments, saying there's room for improvement, but praised both drivers for racing hard without crossing the line.

What's next:

• Antonelli leads Russell by 43 points after five rounds, but Wolff insists the fight is on—with a caveat. If the team's points are at risk or they lose too much time to competitors, Mercedes will not hesitate to "put the handbrake on."
• The Monaco Grand Prix on June 5-7 will be the first test of whether the pair can race cleanly while keeping the team's interests in mind.