George Russell calls Mercedes' team orders in Dutch GP 'right decision
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 23, 2026, 4:33 PM
Last updated Aug 23, 2026
During the Dutch Grand Prix, George Russell acknowledged Mercedes' decision to swap him with teammate Kimi Antonelli as the 'right decision'. The team was racing for second place behind Lando Norris, with Antonelli in second and Russell in fourth. The swap came after a late virtual safety car situation involving Esteban Ocon. Russell's and Antonelli's positions were crucial in their fight with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes aimed to optimize their chances for a better finish amid the evolving race dynamics.
- •George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were second and fourth during the Dutch GP.
- •Lando Norris led the race, with Hamilton positioned between the Mercedes drivers.
- •A late virtual safety car changed the race dynamics.
- •Russell confirmed the swap decision was advantageous for the team.
- 5:13 PMRacer — Wolff defends team orders as Russell backs Mercedes’ rules
- 4:33 PMYahoo Sports — Wolff explains Mercedes' Dutch GP team orders after Russell's radio frustration
- 4:25 PMYahoo Sports — Nico Rosberg weighs in on Mercedes Dutch GP team orders between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
- 4:25 PMMotorsport.com — Nico Rosberg weighs in on Mercedes Dutch GP team orders between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
- 3:56 PMMotorsport.com — George Russell concedes Mercedes' Dutch GP team orders "the right decision"
"Former Mercedes Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg has defended the Brackley outfit's team orders during the Dutch Grand Prix. The race at Zandvoort was heavily disrupted on the opening lap when Red Bull's Max Verstappen suffered a massive crash, resulting in a red flag. Following the restart and a subsequent late virtual safety car, Kimi Antonelli pitted for soft tyres while George Russell stayed ...Keep reading
"Mercedes' Toto Wolff has said the late decision to swap drivers, and title rivals, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the Dutch GP "wasn't a very difficult call," despite the latter's clear reluctance over team radio. Antonelli got ahead of Russell at the start of the Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and took the lead of the race following a standing restart after Max Verstappen's shocking Lap 1 crash at Turn 14.
"Mercedes driver George Russell conceded the team's decision to swap him with Formula 1 team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the end of the Dutch Grand Prix was the "right decision" as they fought for second behind winner Lando Norris. Antonelli and Russell were running second and fourth, behind leader Norris and split by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, when a late virtual safety car for a stricken Esteban ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- RacerAug 23, 2026, 5:13 PMWolff defends team orders as Russell backs Mercedes’ rules
Team principal Toto Wolff says asking George Russell to move over for teammate Kimi Antonelli late in the Dutch Grand Prix was a reflection of the way Mercedes has always agreed how it would impose team orders.
- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 4:33 PMWolff explains Mercedes' Dutch GP team orders after Russell's radio frustration
Mercedes' Toto Wolff has said the late decision to swap drivers, and title rivals, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell at the Dutch GP "wasn't a very difficult call," despite the latter's clear reluctance over team radio. Antonelli got ahead of Russell at the start of the Grand Prix at Zandvoort, and took the lead of the race following a standing restart after Max Verstappen's shocking Lap 1 crash at Turn 14.
- Yahoo SportsAug 23, 2026, 4:25 PMNico Rosberg weighs in on Mercedes Dutch GP team orders between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
Nico Rosberg has backed Mercedes' decision to use team orders during the Dutch Grand Prix
- Motorsport.comAug 23, 2026, 4:25 PMNico Rosberg weighs in on Mercedes Dutch GP team orders between Kimi Antonelli and George Russell
Former Mercedes Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg has defended the Brackley outfit's team orders during the Dutch Grand Prix. The race at Zandvoort was heavily disrupted on the opening lap when Red Bull's Max Verstappen suffered a massive crash, resulting in a red flag. Following the restart and a subsequent late virtual safety car, Kimi Antonelli pitted for soft tyres while George Russell stayed ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comAug 23, 2026, 3:56 PMGeorge Russell concedes Mercedes' Dutch GP team orders "the right decision"
Mercedes driver George Russell conceded the team's decision to swap him with Formula 1 team-mate Kimi Antonelli at the end of the Dutch Grand Prix was the "right decision" as they fought for second behind winner Lando Norris. Antonelli and Russell were running second and fourth, behind leader Norris and split by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, when a late virtual safety car for a stricken Esteban ...Keep reading
- Formula1.com—Russell offers verdict on Mercedes team orders in Dutch GP
George Russell has shared his thoughts after he opted to let Kimi Antonelli pass on the final laps of the Dutch Grand Prix.
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