Kimi Antonelli 'Surprised' by Mercedes Team Order in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli expressed his surprise after Mercedes issued a team order during the Mexico City Grand Prix, asking him to yield position to teammate George Russell. The incident, which occurred on lap 41, saw Antonelli move aside, allowing Russell to pursue Oscar Piastri and Oliver Bearman.

Why it matters:

Team orders are always a sensitive topic in Formula 1, especially when a driver feels they were unexpectedly asked to cede a position. Antonelli's reaction highlights the fine line teams walk between strategic advantage and driver morale, particularly when championship implications are not at play.

The Details:

• On lap 41, Antonelli was instructed by Mercedes to let Russell pass for fourth place. This decision came after Russell had reportedly complained for several laps about being held up by his teammate.
• Antonelli admitted he was unaware of Russell's radio requests, stating, “I didn't know he was asking that on the radio. I just got the information from the team to make the swap into Turn 4, which kind of caught me by surprise, initially.”
• Despite his surprise, Antonelli respected the team's decision but emphasized the need for a post-race review to understand the rationale.
• Russell, after failing to make significant progress on Bearman, later returned the position to Antonelli, with the pair finishing sixth and seventh.
• Antonelli suggested that Mercedes might have handled the situation more effectively, particularly as the swap happened just a few laps before their second pit stops.
  • He believes holding position might have given them a better chance to undercut Bearman and potentially secure higher finishing positions (P4 and P5).

Between the lines:

This incident underscores the ongoing strategic challenges faced by teams in the midfield, where every point and position battle is crucial. While Mercedes ultimately rectified the situation by returning the position, the timing and initial lack of communication left Antonelli feeling out of the loop. It suggests a potential area for improvement in real-time communication protocols within the team, ensuring both drivers are fully aware of the strategic imperatives at play.

What's next:

Antonelli acknowledged the need to move forward and shift focus to the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix. The team will undoubtedly conduct its review to prevent similar miscommunications or perceived strategic missteps in the future, aiming to optimize their race management for the remaining races of the season.