Toto Wolff is alleged to be unable to “intrude with the group’s orders” because the Mercedes pair of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell battle for the F1 title.
Antonelli maintains a nine-point benefit over teammate Russell, having gained two of the opening three races of the 2026 season.
Russell, a pre-season title contender, began the season in model with a win within the opening race in Australia, however issues arose along with his Mercedes throughout qualifying in China.
The 19-year-old Antonelli took benefit of his teammate’s misfortune to develop into the youngest pole sitter in F1 historical past and the second youngest winner in Shanghai, however the timing of the protection automobile on the Japanese Grand Prix meant the Italian teenager leapfrogged Russell for back-to-back wins.
Former Ferrari driver and four-time grand prix winner Eddie Irvine believes Antonelli is rising as a “actual title contender” in his second season in F1.
“Kimi is an actual title contender, however it’s nonetheless too early to foretell how the season will finish,” Irvine instructed Gazzetta dello Sport.
Requested if he anticipated an incident between Antonelli and Russell because the title struggle intensifies, Irvine replied: “I do not suppose so.
“The stakes are too excessive and the drivers have comparable performances. Subsequently, Toto Wolff can not intrude with the group’s orders.”
“Lewis Hamilton skilled very tense conditions when he fought in opposition to Nico Rosberg after which in opposition to Max Verstappen. The latter time there was a horrible accident at Silverstone.”
Antonelli was rushed into F1 by Mercedes after only one season in F2 following seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton’s shock transfer to Ferrari in 2025.
The teen was fast to dismiss discuss of successful the title in 2026.
“I do not suppose a lot concerning the championship,” Antonelli insisted.
“After all it is nice, however there’s nonetheless an extended approach to go and now we have to maintain elevating the bar as a result of George may be very quick and he is undoubtedly going to get again to his common degree and his opponents will get near it will definitely.”
“I believe we have to maintain our heads down and maintain elevating the bar.”
