Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has issued a direct warning to his drivers, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, regarding the potential for an escalating intra-team rivalry. Wolff stated he would not hesitate to remove a driver from the lineup if a toxic atmosphere, reminiscent of the past championship battles between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, were to re-emerge.
Wolff’s stance is unequivocal, emphasizing that such a scenario would not be tolerated within the team again. He explicitly mentioned that he would ‘take a driver out’ if the internal competition became detrimental, regardless of their performance. This warning comes as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses, with Mercedes experiencing a competitive period under new technical regulations.
Kimi Antonelli, in his second F1 season, has demonstrated strong form, currently leading the Drivers’ Championship with six victories from the first eleven races. George Russell, while a confirmed Mercedes driver for 2026, has faced a more challenging season, encountering reliability issues with his W17 car.
The two Mercedes drivers have engaged in on-track battles earlier this season, notably at the Canadian and Spanish Grands Prix. Wolff has previously indicated that the team’s priority is to avoid losing points to rivals like Ferrari and Red Bull Racing due to internal conflicts.
Both Russell and Antonelli are confirmed to remain with Mercedes for the 2026 season. Their contracts reportedly include performance-based clauses for potential extensions into 2027, with Russell having publicly stated his confidence in meeting these criteria.
In other paddock developments, Carlos Sainz, currently driving for Williams, presented a theory regarding Aston Martin’s recent performance. Sainz suggested that Aston Martin had developed the best chassis in the midfield following their upgrades introduced at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Aston Martin’s Chief Trackside Officer, Mike Krack, rejected Sainz’s assessment. The team introduced a significant 16-part upgrade package for their AMR26 car at the Hungaroring, which included a new B-spec chassis.
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin’s driver, acknowledged the positive step forward provided by the upgrades, noting they delivered as expected in both qualifying and the race. He stated the team now has a new baseline to work with for the remainder of the year.
The upgrades allowed Aston Martin to improve their competitive standing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, enabling them to compete more effectively against teams such as Cadillac and Williams. However, Alonso also cautioned that no single package could immediately erase the significant deficit the team experienced earlier in the season.
Aston Martin is also anticipating a Honda engine upgrade, which is scheduled to debut at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort, following the summer break. This further development aims to enhance their overall performance.
Carlos Sainz’s comments came after a challenging Hungarian Grand Prix for his Williams team, which saw them struggling at the rear of the field. Sainz has described the 2026 season as a ‘character-building year’ for Williams, with the team’s performance falling short of expectations.
Sainz’s contract with Williams concludes at the end of the 2026 season. Reports indicate that Williams has made a substantial offer to retain the Spanish driver for the 2027 season and beyond.
