Mercedes drivers Russell and Antonelli discuss racing each other
5 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 1, 2026, 5:05 AM
Last updated Jun 1, 2026

After recent competitive battles at the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli had discussions with the team about their performances. The duel marked the first time the two raced wheel-to-wheel during the season, leading to internal reviews by Mercedes. This insight comes as the team is solidifying its position at the front of the 2026 Formula 1 field. Both drivers expressed confidence in their abilities to race one another effectively. The team will look to build on this performance in upcoming races.
- •Russell and Antonelli battled for the first time at the Canadian GP.
- •Mercedes held internal reviews following the driver's competition.
- •Both drivers seek greater freedom to race each other.
- •Mercedes continues to strengthen its dominance in the 2026 season.
- •Next races will be closely observed for team strategies.
- 5:05 AMMotorsport.com — Kimi Antonelli makes Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg vow amid George Russell F1 fight
- 5:05 AMYahoo Sports — Kimi Antonelli makes Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg vow amid George Russell F1 fight
- 12:48 PMMotorsport.com — "Trust us to race each other" - The message George Russell and Kimi Antonelli had for Mercedes
- 8:05 PMMotorsport.com — Martin Brundle: "Nothing to choose between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli" in Mercedes F1 battle
- 7:05 PMMotorsport.com — Kimi Antonelli 'lucky to have wisdom of Bono and Toto Wolff' after Canada sprint, says Martin Brundle
"Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has argued that there is currently "nothing to choose" between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Following a frantic Canadian Grand Prix sprint race, in which Antonelli accused his Mercedes team-mate of pushing him off the track, the pair later resolved the issue before continuing their tense on-track battle during the grand prix at ...Keep reading
"Kimi Antonelli says Mercedes has given him and his team-mate George Russell the freedom to race, but insists that the pair will not allow their intra-team battle to become a repeat of the infamous Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg rivalry. The Italian driver spoke during a media conference in Brisighella as he collected the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. Established in 1992 in honour of the ...Keep reading
"The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve saw the intra-team battle between championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell intensify. While Antonelli claimed another victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, it was the Saturday sprint race that painted a picture of the 19-year-old's growing pains as well as the important role of his experienced ...Keep reading
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comJun 1, 2026, 5:05 AMKimi Antonelli makes Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg vow amid George Russell F1 fight
Kimi Antonelli says Mercedes has given him and his team-mate George Russell the freedom to race, but insists that the pair will not allow their intra-team battle to become a repeat of the infamous Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg rivalry. The Italian driver spoke during a media conference in Brisighella as he collected the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy. Established in 1992 in honour of the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJun 1, 2026, 5:05 AMKimi Antonelli makes Lewis Hamilton-Nico Rosberg vow amid George Russell F1 fight
Kimi Antonelli says Mercedes is allowing him and George Russell to race freely, but insists their intra-team fight will avoid repeating Hamilton-Rosberg levels of rivalry
- Motorsport.comMay 29, 2026, 12:48 PM"Trust us to race each other" - The message George Russell and Kimi Antonelli had for Mercedes
The Mercedes Formula 1 team has provided more insight into its conversations with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli after the pair's intense Canadian Grand Prix battles prompted internal reviews. In Montreal, Russell and Antonelli battled each other wheel-to-wheel for the first time as Mercedes consolidated its dominance at the front of the 2026 field, with its drivers likely to decide the ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comMay 28, 2026, 8:05 PMMartin Brundle: "Nothing to choose between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli" in Mercedes F1 battle
Former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Martin Brundle has argued that there is currently "nothing to choose" between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Following a frantic Canadian Grand Prix sprint race, in which Antonelli accused his Mercedes team-mate of pushing him off the track, the pair later resolved the issue before continuing their tense on-track battle during the grand prix at ...Keep reading
- Motorsport.comMay 28, 2026, 7:05 PMKimi Antonelli 'lucky to have wisdom of Bono and Toto Wolff' after Canada sprint, says Martin Brundle
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix weekend at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve saw the intra-team battle between championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell intensify. While Antonelli claimed another victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, it was the Saturday sprint race that painted a picture of the 19-year-old's growing pains as well as the important role of his experienced ...Keep reading
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