Toto Wolff Unimpressed by Antonelli Team Radio Message, Says 'Room for Improvement'

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has acknowledged there is “room for improvement” in how Kimi Antonelli and George Russell communicate over team radio, following Antonelli’s call for a penalty on his teammate during the Canadian Grand Prix Sprint.

Why it matters:

With Mercedes dominating the 2026 season and Antonelli leading Russell by 43 points, internal tensions risk undermining team unity. Wolff’s rare intervention underscores the tightrope between letting drivers race and maintaining discipline—crucial as the title fight intensifies.

The Details:

• During the Sprint in Montreal, Antonelli launched an ambitious outside pass on Russell and was forced off track. He radioed: “That was very naughty… That should be a penalty. I was alongside the mirror.”
• When race engineer Peter Bonnington told him to stay calm, Antonelli replied: “Yeah, I don’t care. He pushed me off!”
• Wolff’s response: He cut in with “Kimi, concentrate on the driving, please, and not on the radio moaning.”
• In the main race, Russell suffered what technical director James Allison called a “catastrophic” battery failure, retiring and allowing Antonelli to claim his fourth straight win.
• Wolff rejected concerns that the drivers put their own interests above the team’s, saying their approach is “right” for racers chasing a title. But he added: “I don’t appreciate so much elaborating on emotions on the radio.”

What’s Next:

Wolff confirmed he will handle the matter “internally” to improve radio conduct without curbing the drivers’ competitive spirit. With Antonelli extending his points lead, the Silver Arrows must balance aggressive racing with operational calm as the season progresses.