George Russell calls Mercedes' team orders in Dutch GP 'right decision

Mercedes used team orders during the Dutch GP last weekend to help George Russell secure third at Zandvoort, says Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin. The call for Russell to let his team-mate Kimi Antonelli through came late in the race, after the VSC period on lap 55 of 72. The Italian, who led for the majority of the distance, came in for a fresh set of rubber, while ...Keep reading

Mercedes played down any controversy over team orders as George Russell was asked to make way for title rival Kimi Antonelli during the Dutch Grand Prix. Antonelli finished second and left Zandvoort having extended his championship lead to 59 points over Lewis Hamilton and Russell – who won Saturday’s sprint race to breathe life into his title hopes.

George Russell has said Mercedes was right to ask him to move over and let teammate and title rival Kimi Antonelli by at the Dutch Grand Prix, even if it cost him ground in the championship.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff defended the use of team orders in the Formula 1 title fight after George Russell protested when he was asked to give up second place in the Dutch Grand Prix to teammate Kimi Antonelli. Over team radio, Russell questioned the call to let Antonelli past in the final stages of Sunday's race, suggesting it left him vulnerable to Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton behind with little to gain for the team. Antonelli was on fresher tires but eventual winner Lando Norris was far ahead.

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.

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.

Nico Rosberg has backed Mercedes' decision to use team orders during the Dutch Grand Prix

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 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

George Russell has shared his thoughts after he opted to let Kimi Antonelli pass on the final laps of the Dutch Grand Prix.

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists it was "not a difficult decision" to order George Russell to allow team-mate Kimi Antonelli past him during the Dutch Grand Prix.