Toto Wolff explains when Mercedes will put Antonelli and Russell 'on watch'

Toto Wolff has clarified when his squabbling Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell will be put "on watch" in Formula 1, after their fierce battles in Canada sparked team order hints.

Last time out in Canada, the two fought for the lead in both the Sprint and grand prix. Wolff intervened on the radio to tell Antonelli to calm down after the Italian was forced across the grass by Russell's "naughty" defense. Russell won the Sprint; Antonelli took third. In the grand prix, another battle ended with Russell's engine failure, handing Antonelli his fourth straight win and a 43-point championship lead.

Why it matters:

With Antonelli leading the championship and Russell close behind, Mercedes faces a delicate balancing act. Allowing free racing keeps both drivers motivated, but any collision could cost the team dearly. Wolff's "on watch" warning signals that the team will step in if the fights threaten to end in DNFs — a pragmatic move to protect constructors' points.

The details:

• Wolff wants his drivers to review the footage and come to the right conclusions themselves: "Do you think that was the level of fighting you think is right?"
• The Austrian says "the fight is more on than ever" and that telling them to "tidy it up" doesn't mean stopping racing — it means putting them "on watch."
• He cited "a few situations that could have ended in DNFs" as the trigger for closer monitoring.
• The radio communications between the drivers and engineers Peter Bonnington (Russell) and Marcus Dudley (Antonelli) will be key: "When you listen to the radio communications, there is room for improvement."
• Despite the warnings, Wolff defended their behavior: "They behaved like racing drivers that are racing for a championship — I wouldn't be able to see a fault in that."

What's next:

Mercedes will allow the rivalry to continue but with a tighter leash. The next race will show whether Antonelli and Russell can maintain their aggression without crossing the line. If they do, Wolff's "on watch" warning becomes a team order in waiting. The balance between competition and caution will define Mercedes' season as both drivers chase glory.