Kimi Antonelli has made it clear that Mercedes are allowing both him and teammate George Russell to race freely on track, but insists the pair are determined to avoid any internal conflict resembling past high-profile team rivalries.
Key Points from Antonelli:
- Mercedes allow Antonelli and Russell to race freely but expect discipline in future incidents
- Both drivers want to avoid a repeat of past internal rivalries like Hamilton vs Rosberg
- Tensions briefly surfaced at the Canadian GP but were resolved after internal discussions
- Antonelli admits he is pushing hard for wins but learning to balance aggression and control
Antonelli Sets Clear Tone on Mercedes Intra-Team Battle
Speaking during a media conference in Brisighella while receiving the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, the 19-year-old highlighted the trust Mercedes has placed in its drivers. The award, created in 1992 in memory of late Ferrari driver Lorenzo Bandini, recognises standout contributions to motorsport excellence.
Antonelli explained that while the team is currently happy for them to race without strict orders, that approach could change depending on how future on-track battles unfold.
Mercedes Trust Drivers, But With Boundaries
Antonelli revealed that Mercedes management is comfortable letting the pair compete directly, especially given their current competitive position, but still expects discipline when needed.
"The team wants us to race freely, because they know very well, especially in the position that we are now, you cannot put the leash on us," he said during the press conference. But they also want to make sure that there's not an unpleasant situation. If they feel like it, in the next few races, they will tell us to race a bit easier. At the moment, they're letting us race free because they trust us as well.
"We don't want to recreate a scenery like Lewis [Hamilton] and [Nico] Rosberg, where internally in the team was not the best. We want Mercedes to win, as well. We're gonna go at each other, for sure, but in a fair manner."
Canadian GP Sparks Early Flashpoints
The comments come after a tense Canadian Grand Prix, where the intra-team fight between Antonelli and Russell briefly escalated. During the sprint race, Antonelli expressed frustration, accusing Russell of forcing him off track.
However, after discussions behind closed doors, the situation cooled, and the pair returned to close on-track battles during the main race before Russell retired due to battery issues. Antonelli acknowledged the intensity of modern F1 racing and admitted lessons were learned from the weekend’s heated moments.
“Shark Tank” Mentality in F1 Competition
Antonelli described Formula 1 racing as an environment where aggression is essential, but must be carefully controlled to avoid costly mistakes.
"[Racing in F1] it's like being in a shark tank. You either eat or you're eaten. You have to be aggressive, obviously, in the right dose. In Canada I was aggressive, maybe a little too much. If a similar situation happens again, we'll have to be more clear-headed," Antonelli continued.
He also emphasised that his aggressive approach is part of his development as a championship contender, especially with opportunities for victories already within reach.
"But it's right for me to be aggressive now, because right now, I'm racing to win, I'm playing for victories. It's still early to talk about the championship, but I'm right up there in the standings. It's one of those opportunities that doesn't come along every day, so you want to make the most of it."
