Antonelli: Mercedes drivers free to race, but no repeat of Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry

Kimi Antonelli has confirmed that Mercedes is allowing him and teammate George Russell to race freely without strict team orders, but the Italian insists the pair are committed to avoiding a repeat of the bitter Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry that once tore the team apart.

Speaking after receiving the prestigious Lorenzo Bandini Trophy in Italy, the 19-year-old addressed the current dynamic within the Brackley outfit and the team's trust in its drivers to fight fairly.

Why it matters:

Mercedes finds itself in a competitive resurgence, with both drivers capable of winning races. Managing intra-team tensions without compromising results is critical to sustaining momentum and potentially challenging for championships. A repeat of the toxic Hamilton-Rosberg era could derail the team's progress.

The details:

• Antonelli revealed that management is allowing them to race freely, citing the team's competitive position as a reason not to impose restrictions. "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.
• However, he stressed that both drivers want to avoid recreating the hostile environment that characterized Hamilton and Rosberg's title battles. "We don't want to recreate a scenery like Lewis and Rosberg, where internally in the team was not the best."
• The Canadian Grand Prix weekend saw tension flare between the pair, particularly during the sprint race when Antonelli accused Russell of pushing him off track. After private conversations, they returned to close but fair racing in the grand prix until Russell retired with battery issues.
• Antonelli described F1 as a "shark tank" where aggression is necessary but must be measured. "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."
• He acknowledged that he is racing for victories and a potential championship, making it vital to seize every opportunity. "It's one of those opportunities that doesn't come along every day, so you want to make the most of it."

What's next:

With both drivers eager to win but committed to fair play, Mercedes will monitor their on-track battles closely. If tensions escalate, team orders could be introduced, but for now, the Brackley squad is banking on its drivers' maturity and shared ambition to keep the peace while chasing success. The coming races will test that trust.