Motor Racing-Russell Defends Mercedes Team Orders Against Himself

Motor racing-Russell defends Mercedes team orders against himself

By Alan Baldwin ZANDVOORT, Netherlands, Aug 23 (Reuters) - George Russell defended Mercedes for imposing team orders in favour of his Formula One championship-leading teammate and title rival Kimi Antonelli at the Dutch Grand ​Prix on Sunday. The Brito...

Russell plays down Mercedes' team orders

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.

George Russell admits Mercedes’ Dutch GP team orders were the right call

George Russell acknowledged Mercedes’ strategic decision to swap positions with teammate Kimi Antonelli during the Dutch Grand Prix as the “right decision,” despite initially questioning the move. The dramatic late-race maneuver unfolded under a virtual safety car (VSC) on lap 56 of 72 at Zandvoort, with Mercedes locked in a fierce battle for second place behind race winner Lando Norris. At that critical juncture, Antonelli was running second wi…

George Russell Breaks Silence on Mercedes Team Orders as Wolff Praises "Incredible" Defense

Toto Wolff called it necessary “damage limitation,” but George Russell has his own highly pragmatic view of the late-race team orders that defined Mercedes’ Sunday at the 2026 Dutch Grand Prix. After suffering a sudden and unexplained drop in pace during the final stint, Mercedes was forced to coordinate a tense track position swap between Russell and championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Speaking to ESPN following the race, Russell shed light on …