Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff admitted to significant apprehension during the recent Italian Grand Prix at Monza, as his drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell engaged in a fierce battle for victory. Wolff stated he considered intervening in the closing stages of the race.
Antonelli secured a remarkable win from 19th on the grid, with Russell finishing second, completing a Mercedes one-two. The Italian Grand Prix, held on Sunday, September 6, 2026, saw Antonelli overcome an engine penalty to deliver a commanding performance.
Antonelli, in only his second Formula 1 season, rapidly ascended through the field. He reached the leading group by lap 18, demonstrating strong pace and decisive overtakes.
The intense intra-team duel saw Antonelli and Russell exchange positions multiple times. This sustained battle heightened tension within the Mercedes pit wall.
A Virtual Safety Car period, triggered by Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin on lap 28, became a pivotal moment. Mercedes opted to split strategies, pitting Antonelli for fresh medium tyres.
Russell remained on track with older hard compound tyres, setting up a direct confrontation in the final laps. This strategic divergence allowed Antonelli to close a significant gap.
Wolff revealed his concern during the duel, particularly after Antonelli ran wide in Turn 2 on lap 49, briefly entering the gravel. The incident occurred as Antonelli attacked Russell.
‘The last incident was regrettable. George tried not to cut the corner, and Kimi was then obviously on the marbles and drove straight on – that could have ended in a disaster in terms of the race result. We’d have looked like idiots,’ Wolff stated.
Despite the risk, Wolff chose not to issue team orders. He explained that he had his ‘finger on the button’ but ultimately allowed the drivers to continue racing.
Wolff justified the decision by emphasizing the importance of demonstrating the team’s racing spirit. He also praised Antonelli’s ‘amazing drive’ from the back of the grid.
Russell expressed surprise regarding the team’s decision to pit Antonelli under the VSC. He indicated a preference for both cars to have maintained the same strategy.
Antonelli’s victory at Monza extended his lead in the Drivers’ Championship to 66 points over Russell, with Antonelli now on 267 points to Russell’s 201. This marks Antonelli’s seventh win of the 2026 season.
Max Verstappen completed the podium in third place. The Red Bull driver cited a lack of energy deployment on the straights as a factor limiting his challenge against the Mercedes cars.
Antonelli’s triumph also held historical significance, as he became the first Italian driver to win his home Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Mercedes has maintained a policy of allowing its drivers to race freely, particularly when not under direct threat from rival teams. However, the team has indicated a willingness to intervene if championship points are at significant risk.
